Metal guitarist Jeff Hanneman, founding member of rock band Slayer, has died at the age of 49.
A statement on the band's
Facebook page said Hanneman died of liver failure in California on Thursday.
Since 2011, Hanneman had been suffering from necrotising fasciitis, a flesh-eating disease that he is believed to have contracted from a spider bite.
On its website, Slayer paid tribute to "Our Brother Jeff Hanneman, May He Rest In Peace (1964 - 2013)."
The guitarist is survived by his wife Kathy, his sister and two brothers.
"Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11am this morning near his Southern California home," the statement said.