Slayer Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Dead At 49

[Ed Burns]

Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman died today of Liver Failure. He was 49 years old. The band confirmed it earlier today. Jeff hasn't been active in Slayer since 2011. He contracted a flesh eating disease from a Spider bite on his right arm back in 2010. Jeff was working back into playing shape when his health took a turn for the worse. The band has stated that they are "devestated" and that not only was Jeff a "bandmate, but a brother as well..."

[Speed Demon]

I heard about the news on FB. I was sad to hear it. R.I.P. Jeff, one of the members of a great, legendary band. You will be missed. Hope you're in Rock Heaven somewhere, rocking out with Dimebag Darrell.

[Ed Burns]

I wonder what this does to the band. They were working on a new record, with Kerry King handling all of the guitar duties. They also had a Summer tour planned.

Gary Holt's filling in again for the summer tour... Slayer's a mess right now. Tom's having more back surgery, so he's not touring for the summer, and Dave Lombardo's out of the band for now due to money issues... They have Jason Newsted filling in for Tom, and John Dette playing drums... King's the only original member on the summer tour.

Supposedly the cause of Jeff's death will be made public in the next couple weeks. I think the Spider bite had a lot more to do with it than we think.