Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman Dead at 49

Slayer guitarist and founding member Jeff Hanneman died earlier today of liver failure. He was 49.

Hanneman had been absent from the band in recent months due to his illness, with his role being filled by Exodus’ Gary Holt.

The band’s longtime publicist issued the following statement today:

“Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home.  He was 49.  Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure.  He is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry, and will be sorely missed.”

Source: Billboard