The world of heavy metal has lost one of its pioneering guitarists. Jeff Hanneman, one of the cofounders of Slayer, died today, the band announced on its website. He was 49. "Slayer is devastated to inform that their bandmate and brother, Jeff Hanneman, passed away at about 11 am this morning near his Southern California home," the statement reads. "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."