Guitarist with heavy-metal band Slayer, Jeff Hanneman, dies Jeff Hanneman, American guitarist and co-founder of heavy metal band Slayer, has died of liver failure. His death may be connected to a spider bite that almost cost him his arm. Hanneman, 49, had recently begun writing songs with Slayer in anticipation of recording a new album. Slayer were known as one of the "big four" thrash metal groups of 1980s. More about: Death, Hard rock, Metal, USA