Slayer Founding Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Dies Aged 49

Slayer Founding Guitarist Jeff Hanneman Dies Aged49 -

Thrash legend Jeff Hanneman, founding member ofmetal titans Slayer, has died.

A statement on the band's Facebook fan-page saidHanneman died of liver failure in California on Thursday, he wasaged 49.

Hanneman had been sidelined from Slayer since2011 after suffering necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating diseasethat is believed to have been brought on by a spider bite.

On their website, Slayerpaid tribute to "Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest InPeace (1964 - 2013)."

"Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate andbrother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11am this morning nearhis Southern California home," the statement read.

Hanneman was being treated in a local hospital when he"suffered liver failure," it added.

Over the past three decades, the band released nine studioalbums and performed at countless live shows around the globe.

A number of musicians took to their social media channels to paytribute to Jeff, including ex-Guns'n'Rosesguitarist Slash, 

"Tragic and shocking news about Jeff Hanneman. He is going tomissed by so many. What a sad day for Metal. RIP man".

Papa Roach, 

"We're saddened by the death of SLAYER guitarist, JeffHanneman. Our prayers and best wishes to SLAYER and Jeff'sfamily."

Down, 

"Our brother Jeff Hanneman, may he rest in peace (1964 -2013)"

Anvil, 

"Anvil send their condolences to the Slayer and the JeffHanneman family. R.I.P."

The Recording Academy also released astatement, describing Hanneman as, 

"an intense and powerful guitarist and a force to be reckonedwith on stage".

President Neil Portnow said,

"The music industry has lost a true trailblazer, and ourdeepest sympathies go out to his family, his bandmates and fansaround the world who mourn his untimely passing."

Our thoughts are with Jeff's friends and family at thistime.