The guitarist and co-founder of the metal giants was 48.

Jeff Hanneman passed away this morning after suffering from liver failure. Slayer announced the sad news in a post on the band’s Facebook page:

Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11AM this morning near his Southern California home. 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 Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 – 2013)

[via Consequence of Sound]