Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman has died, aged just 49. Hanneman was one of the founding members of the game-changing heavy metal group and his death has been marked with an outpouring of tributes from the music world, from musicians, fans and others in the industry.

A simple statement from Slayer themselves read "Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 - 2013)." It added "Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11am this morning near his Southern California home.ā€ Tragically Hanneman was suffering from necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease that he may have contracted from a spider bite. The BBC reports that he was being treated in hospital when he suffered liver failure.

Among those paying tribute was former Guns Nā€™ Roses man Slash, who wrote on his Twitter "Tragic and shocking news about Jeff Hanneman. He is going to missed by so many. What a sad day for Metal. RIP man". The Recording Academy also commented on the sad passing, writing that Hanneman was "an intense and powerful guitarist and a force to be reckoned with on stage". President Neil Portnow said: "The music industry has lost a true trailblazer, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, his band mates and fans around the world who mourn his untimely passing."

Jeff Hanneman
Jeff Hanneman was just 49 when he died