Death of Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman “alcohol related”

Following the death of Slayer’s founding member and guitarist Jeff Hanneman, an autopsy has now revealed that his passing was “alcohol related”.

The Californian musician (pictured second left), one of the thrash metal outfit’s core members, died at 49 after suffering a series of ongoing health issues during his last months including a debilitating skin disorder.

The report released to his family and friends yesterday points to liver damage due to alcohol abuse. It also says that neither Hanneman nor loved ones or professionals were aware of his fatal condition.

A snippet of the announcement reads:

“We’ve just learned that the official cause of Jeff’s death was alcohol related cirrhosis. While he had his health struggles over the years, including the recent Necrotizing fasciitis infection that devastated his well-being, Jeff and those close to him were not aware of the true extent of his liver condition until the last days of his life. Contrary to some reports, Jeff was not on a transplant list at the time of his passing, or at any time prior to that. In fact, by all accounts, it appeared that he had been improving – he was excited and looking forward to working on a new record”

Frontman Tom Araya called Hanneman “a lifeline of Slayer” saying he had a “good heart” and was a “great man”. Read the full statement here.

[via 405]