'Slayer' rock guitarist Jeff Hanneman dies, 49

Source: Telegraph | Slayer heavy metal guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who had suffered a flesh-eating disease reportedly contracted from a spider bite, dies aged 49

Heavy metal guitarist Jeff Hanneman, 49, has died of liver failure, his band Slayer announced.

"Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother . . . passed away at about 11 am this morning [May 2]," read a statement posted by the group on its Facebook page.

Hanneman, who died at a hospital in Southern California, has been suffering since 2011 from necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease that he is believed to have contracted from a spider bite.

It is not known whether the illness played a role in his death.

On its website, Slayer paid tribute to "Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 - 2013)."