Limp Bizkit's Sam Rivers Revealed He Had Liver Disease From Years of Drinking — Did This Lead to His Death?

The music world is reeling from the sudden loss of Sam Rivers, the founding bassist and a core creative force behind the nu-metal band Limp Bizkit, who died on 18 October 2025, at the age of 48.

His bandmates—Fred Durst, Wes Borland, John Otto, and DJ Lethal—confirmed the news in a touching tribute, calling Rivers 'pure magic' and 'the heartbeat' of their group. While an official cause of death remains unconfirmed, the bassist's candid revelations about his battle with alcohol-induced liver disease have left fans wondering if his past health struggles ultimately caught up with him.

A Public Battle With 'Horrible' Liver Disease

Rivers was never one to hide his personal demons. In Jon Wiederhorn's book, Raising Hell (Backstage Tales From the Lives of Metal Legends), he spoke openly about the severe toll that years of heavy drinking had taken on his body.

'I got liver disease from excessive drinking', Rivers stated. He explained that the condition became so debilitating that he felt he had no choice but to step away from the band he helped create.

'I had to leave Limp Bizkit in 2015 because I felt so horrible, and a few months after that, I realized I had to change everything because I had really bad liver disease', he admitted. This marked a turning point, pushing him to quit drinking and follow strict medical advice, which eventually led to a 'perfect match' liver transplant.

Stepping Away to Heal Before a Triumphant Return

His 2015 departure was a necessary hiatus, not a permanent split. After focusing on his recovery, Rivers triumphantly rejoined Limp Bizkit, resuming his duties on stage and in the studio, much to the relief of the band's dedicated fanbase.

The deep bond between the band members was evident in their tribute. 'We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there', they wrote. They described him as 'a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human. A true legend of legends'.

Unanswered Questions Surround A Sudden Loss

As of 19 October, medical authorities and Rivers' family have not released an official cause of death. Multiple media outlets have reported the band's announcement, confirming that the circumstances surrounding his passing are still undisclosed.

Given his well-documented health history, many have speculated that complications related to his liver disease may have been a contributing factor. However, until an official statement is made, this remains unverified.

Remembering The 'Heartbeat' of Limp Bizkit

Sam Rivers co-founded Limp Bizkit in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1994, becoming a pivotal architect of the nu-metal sound that dominated the turn of the millennium. His distinctive bass lines and backing vocals were fundamental to the aggressive, genre-bending identity of albums like Three Dollar Bill, Y'all and the diamond-certified Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water.

His influence was immeasurable, anchoring the band's explosive energy with a foundational groove. As his bandmates concluded in their heartfelt message: 'Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends'.