It saddens us to report that the guitarist and founding member of Slayer Jeff Hanneman died today.

The 49-year-old who had left the group due to a degenerative illness (necrotizing fasciitis) brought on by a spider bite, suffered terminal liver failure while in hospital in California this morning but there is no suggestion yet that the gangrenous flesh eating disease and the organ failure are linked.

A spokesperson for the band released the following statement: "Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. He was 49. 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."

Our sincere condolences go out to his friends, family and fellow band members.