Jeff Hanneman, guitarist and co-founder of Slayer, dies aged 49
3rd May 2013
The whole of the heavy metal community has been shocked and saddened to hear that Jeff Hanneman has passed away yesterday
Slayer have posted the following:
"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)"
Jeff had been recovering from a spider bite which had left him with necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease which attacks subcutaneous tissue.
He co-founded Slayer with Kerry King in the 80s in suburban Los Angeles, Slayer is known as one of the "big four" thrash metal groups of the 1980s, along with Anthrax, Megadeth and Metallica and amongst others is probably best known as a writer of the songs Raining Blood and Angel of Death from the 1986 album Reign of Blood, which is considered a landmark album of thrash.
All About The Rock would like to offer its sincere condolences to all of Jeffs family, friends and band members.
R.I.P. Jeff