sam riversThe bassist and backing vocalist for the nu-metal band Limp Bizkit passed away on October 18, 2025. He passed away at the age of 48. Fred Durst, Wes Borland, John Otto and DJ Lethal He announced the shocking news in a statement on Instagram. Although his death seemed sudden to some fans, many want to know what the cause of his death was and if he was battling any health issues in his final moments.
“In loving memory of our brother Sam Rivers,” Limp Bizkit’s Instagram tribute to Rivers began. “Today we lost a brother. We lost a bandmate. We lost our heartbeat. Sam Rivers was more than just a bassist. He was pure magic. The heartbeat beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound. From the first notes we played together, Sam brought a light and rhythm that can never be replaced.”
The band called his talent “effortless” and added that Rivers’ “presence” was “unforgettable” and his heart was “huge.”
“We shared so many moments, some wild, some quiet, some beautiful, but each one was more meaningful because Sam was there,” they added. “He was a once-in-a-lifetime person. A true legend among legends. And his spirit will live on forever in every groove, on every stage, in every memory. We love you, Sam. We’ll always have you. Rest assured, brother. Your music will never end.”
Below, learn what we know about Rivers’ final days and the legacy he built with Limp Bizkit.
Sam Rivers’ cause of death: How did the limp Bizkit bassist die?
As of this article’s publication, no official cause of death has been released. However, in his later years, he suffered from liver disease caused by alcoholism.
Did Sam Rivers have health problems?
Yes, Rivers clearly struggled with drinking. He took a break from Limp Bizkit in 2015 to deal with alcoholism and subsequent liver disease, he said in John Wiederhorn’s book. Raising Hell (Behind the scenes stories of metal legends).
According to the book, Rivers said that he had “suffered from liver disease due to excessive drinking.” “I had to quit Limp Bizkit in 2015 because I felt so bad. Then a few months later I realized I had really bad liver disease and everything had to change. I stopped drinking and did everything the doctors told me to do. I went to alcohol treatment and had a liver transplant, which was the perfect situation.”
Did Sam Rivers quit Limp Bizkit?
Rivers only briefly left Limp Bizkit in 2015 for health reasons.
