Slayer guitarist dies at 49

LOS ANGELES - Agence France-Presse

Jeff Hanneman has died of liver failure at the age of 49.

Metal guitar legend Jeff Hanneman, 49, has died of liver failure, his band Slayer announced May 3.

“Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother... passed away at about 11 am this morning,” read a statement posted by the group on its Facebook page.

Hanneman, who died at a hospital in Southern California, has been suffering since 2011 from necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease that he is believed to have contracted from a spider bite, according to news reports.

It is not known whether the illness played a role in his death.

On its website, Slayer paid tribute to “Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 - 2013).”