Sam Rivers, the bassist and backup vocalist for the nu metal band Limp Bizkit, died on October 18, 2025. He was 48. His bandmates Fred Durst, Wes Borland, John Otto and DJ Lethal announced the devastating news in an Instagram statement. While his death seemed sudden to some fans, many want to know what the cause was and whether or not he was battling any health issues in his final days.
“In Loving Memory of Our Brother, Sam Rivers,” Limp Bizkit’s Instagram tribute to Rivers began. “Today, we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat. Sam Rivers wasn’t just our bass player — he was pure magic. The pulse beneath every song, the calm in the chaos, the soul in the sound. From the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced.”
Calling his talent “effortless,” the band added that Rivers’ “presence” is “unforgettable,” while his heart was “enormous.”
“We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there,” they added. “He was a once-in-a-lifetime kind of human. A true legend of legends. And his spirit will live forever in every groove, every stage, every memory. We love you, Sam. We’ll carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends.”
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?
At the time of publication, no official cause of death has been disclosed. However, he struggled with liver issues during his final years due to alcoholism.
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