Slayer founder Jeff Hanneman dies
Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman, one of the pioneers of thrash metal, dies at 49 after struggling for two years with the flesh-eating disease necrotising fasciitis.
The 49-year-old, one of the founding members of Slayer, died from liver failure at a Los Angeles hospital, with his wife Kathy at his side, on Thursday morning.
A message posted on Slayer’s social media sites told fans: “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.”
Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this… fb.me/x8bXmzyH
— Slayer (@Slayer) May 2, 2013
Hanneman, famed for writing songs such as Raining Blood and Angel of Death, had been recovering since 2011 from necrotising fasciitis, a bacterial disease which destroys skin and muscle tissue by releasing toxins into it. It is believed that Hanneman contracted the disease, which nearly cost him his arm, from a spider bite.
In 2012 it was suggested that Hanneman, who co-founded the band in 1982, may have recovered from the disease. In February this year, however, the band said that continuing health problems were preventing Hanneman from working.
Earlier this week Slayer released an open letter updating fans on Hanneman’s condition, saying he had been through “several painful skin grafts” and had learned to walk again.
As yet, it is not known if necrotising fasciitis led to Hanneman’s liver failure. However Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald, spokesperson for the band, said it is believed there is a link.
@brewtaltruth I’m at the CC club devastating the jukebox! And lifting a pint of anything brown at this point in honor of one of the greatest
— Jerad Rask (@ducati_brewer) May 2, 2013
News of Hanneman’s death was met with a huge response from the metal community. On Slayer’s Facebook page, the announcement received nearly 40,000 comments, and “Jeff Hanneman” was trending on Twitter in the US and UK.
“The music industry has lost a true trailblazer, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, his bandmates and fans around the world who mourn his untimely passing,” said Neil Portnow, president of the Recording Academy.
In the 1980s Slayer, along with Anthrax, Megadeth and Metallica, was known as one of the “big four” thrash metal groups.
