Sam Rivers, founding member of Limp Bizkit, passes away at 48: How did the nu metal band’s bassist die? What do we know so far

Sam Rivers, founding member and bassist of American nu metal band Limp Bizkit, passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2025, aged 48. The news of his demise was announced by the band in a statement on Instagram. "Today we lost our brother. Our bandmate. Our heartbeat," the band wrote in the caption, alongside a photo of Rivers performing onstage.

Limp Bizkit, however, did not reveal the reason behind Rivers’ death in the post. "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," the band further stated.

"From the first note we ever played together, Sam brought a light and a rhythm that could never be replaced. His talent was effortless, his presence unforgettable, his heart enormous. We shared so many moments — wild ones, quiet ones, beautiful ones — and every one of them meant more because Sam was there," the Limp Bizkit members continued.





"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," the post further read.

"We love you, Sam. We’ll carry you with us, always. Rest easy, brother. Your music never ends," the post concluded, with a signoff from the band's vocalist Fred Durst, drummer John Otto, guitarist Wes Borland and turntablist DJ Lethal.

Limp Bizkit, well known for songs including "Behind Blue Eyes" and "Take a Look Around." Founded in 1994, the band went on to become one of the most influential groups of the late 1990s and 2000s. According to PEOPLE, the bassist was a founding member of Limp Bizkit. The journey of the nu metal band began after he befriended Durst while working a retail job. The duo played together in the band Malachi Sage before forming their long-running nu-metal group.