Founding member and bassist for the nu metal band Limp Bizkit, Sam Rivers, died on October 18 at the age of 48. While the band didn’t disclose his cause of death, Rivers has previously been open about his past drinking and issues with his liver.
Awaiting official details, TMZ obtained information from authorities on what reportedly occurred that Saturday.
Fire Rescue Responded to a Call at the Bassist’s Address
Speaking with a spokesperson St. Johns County, Florida Fire Rescue, they revealed having responded to a “nonresponsive person in cardiac arrest.” They didn’t disclose further details on what had ultimately led to Rivers’s cause of death.
A St. Johns County Sheriff’s rep told the outlet that “Deputies responded to an attended death at that address.”
A deeper look reveals that an “attended death” refers to a patient who has been under medical care for a serious illness. The form of death often occurs under the supervision or presence of a medical professional. It can take place at a hospice, hospital, or home with medical staff present.
In most cases, the person passing was monitored by medical health professionals, with the circumstances of death expected due to illness, chronic conditions, or end-of-life care.
Sam Rivers Had Serious Health Issues
Having been a part of Limp Bizkit since its inception and through its rise as one of the top bands in the nu metal genre, Rivers left in 2015 following health issues.
He has disclosed in Jon Wiederhorn’s book called Raising Hell (Backstage Tales From the Lives of Metal Legends) that he was diagnosed with liver disease in 2011 from years of drinking. He was advised by a UCLA Hospital doctor that it was “so bad” and would die if he didn’t change his ways.
While staying clean and sticking to a diet while on tour, his home life led him to drink again. Rivers revealed he had fought with liver disease for many years before needing a transplant in 2017.
