Jeff Hanneman, Guitarist Of Slayer, Dead At 49

The metal community lost a great guitar player today. Jeff Hanneman, co-lead guitarist of Slayer, one of The Big 4, has passed away today at the age of 49.

Hanneman was a founding member of the band and was an integral part of Slayer's writing process, writing lyrics and some of Slayer's biggest anthems, including "Raining Blood", "War Ensemble" "South of Heaven" "Seasons in the Abyss" and "Angel of Death".

He has been inactive from the band since early 2011, due to necrotizing fasciitis, which was reported to be from a spider bite. Gary Holt of Exodus has been filling in for Hanneman ever since. There has been no word if Holt will now become the permanent replacement.

Tai's Phone

The band has this to say via their official Facebook page:

Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. 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.
Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 - 2013)

Tai's Phone