Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies, age 49 Guitarist Jeff Hanneman of Slayer died of liver failure May 2, 2013 at a Southern California area hospital. He was 49. Here, he performs onstage during The Big 4 held at the Empire Polo Club on April 23, 2011 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman has died of liver failure just two years after being forced off the road because of a rare skin tissue disease. While his bandmates had long harboured the hope he would return to their ranks, the 49-year old founding member of the thrash metal legends died today at a Californian hospital. When Slayer toured Australia with the Soundwave Festival in February, they said his return to the band was a "wait and see" proposition. "Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11 this morning near his Southern California home," the band's longtime publicist said in a statement. Hanneman was in an area hospital when he suffered liver failure. The musician and songwriter had to quit touring in 2011 after being diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis, reportedly from a spider bite, which eats skin tissue. It is not known if the disease played a role in his death. Hanneman was credited for revolutionising heavy metal guitar playing with his power chord blasts and fierce riffing. His peers paid tribute to the musician on social media. Tonight one less star will be shining and sadly, the stage got just a little bit darker. Jeff Hanneman 1964-2013," posted Megadeth's Dave Mustaine. He is survived by his wife Kathryn, whom he married in 1997, his sister Kathy and his brothers Michael and Larry.