An official statement released on Slayer’s website announced the band member’s passing:

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. In 2011, Jeff contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a rare skin tissue disease, most likely from a spider bite, according to Billboard. It is not clear if this very rare flesh-eating disease played a part in his liver failure and subsequent death. Born in Oakland, Calif. and was raised primarily in Long Beach. He formed Slayer in 1981 with Kerry King. The band’s mix of heavy metal and punk influences quickly gained them acclaim. Their debut album, ‘Show No Mercy’, went on to become their label, Metal Blade Records’ highest selling release ever. But Jeff is likely best known for his work on the 1986 album, ‘Reign of Blood’, for which he wrote ‘Raining Blood’ and ‘Angel of Death’. Slayer made eleven albums over 26 years and cemented their status as one of the greatest metal bands ever.

www.slayer.net