Jeff Hanneman died of alcohol-related condition

Slayer’s Jeff Hanneman died from an alcohol-related liver condition.

The heavy metal guitarist succumbed to liver failure in a Californian hospital on May 2 aged 49 – two years after contracting rare flesh-eating disease necrotising fasciitis after being bitten by a spider – and the band have now revealed the cause of death was actually alcohol-related cirrhosis, a condition he only became aware of in the days before his death.

A post on the band’s official website read: "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 Necrotising 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."

The band – who formed in 1981 – also confirmed a public memorial will be held to honour Jeff, although no date has been set as yet.

The statement continued: "While the details are being worked out now, Slayer wants its fans to know that there will be a celebration of Jeff Hanneman’s life sometime later this month, along with Jeff’s family and friends, the public will be invited to attend. More information will be posted here soon."