Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman Death Confirmed To Be Alcohol Related
Friday, 10 May 2013
Written by Elliott Batte
Later Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman died from alcohol-related liver failure, it has now been revealed - with doctors pretty much ruling out the spider bite he suffered in 2011.
The legendary axeman passed away on May 2nd at age 49, shocking and saddening the music world - though he had been in and out of hospital for the past two years, he had been itching to perform with the band and ‘was excited and looking forward to working on a new record.’
After his passing, many speculated as to what the cause of death may have been, with initial doctor’s reports revealing that he’d suffered from liver failure. While many attributed it to a spider bite, it’s now been confirmed as alcohol-related.
The band have released a statement via Facebook - you can check it out below:
“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 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.”
Dr Kent Sepkowitz, a medical expert, has commented on Hanneman’s death, and told The Daily Beast:
“Despite the tidiness of the narrative suggesting that the old necrotising fasciitis caused the new liver failure, the story is exactly the opposite. People with severe underlying medical problems, such as chronic liver disease, are at increased risk for necrotising fasciitis.
“So rather than the 2011 illness influencing his death, it is more likely that the very illness that killed him – liver failure – was the same condition that predisposed him to the near-death experience two years ago.”
Following the tragic news, the band have also revealed that there’ll be a celebration of life for friends, family, and fans to attend later this year - more info is to be released soon. The band also wrote a number of tributes - check them out here.
The band also confirmed that they'd be hitting Europe for tour dates this summer - easing fan's worries that Hanneman's death would also be the demise of Slayer. They wrote:
'We know that our fans everywhere are hurting for the loss of Jeff just as we are. We want to let you all know that when we come to Europe this summer in June, July and August, we'll ALL be making noise together for our brother and dear friend Jeff... We'll see you then!'
Will you be attending the event, or any of their summer gigs? Let us know by leaving a comment in the box below. Stay with Stereoboard for more info on the band as it surfaces.
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