Limp Bizkit Says It ‘Lost a Piece of Our DNA’ After Death of Sam Rivers

Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland has spoken about the emotional toll of losing bassist Sam Rivers, saying the band felt as though a “piece of our DNA” had died with him.

Rivers passed away in October 2025 at the age of 48 after suffering a cardiac arrest, and Borland described the loss as devastating, noting how central he was to the group’s identity and sound.

He also shared that the band has been grateful to have Richie Buxton, who performs with Ecca Vandal, stepping in while they continue touring, although he acknowledged uncertainty about how long that arrangement can continue as Buxton’s own career grows.

Speaking to Heavy Consequence, Borland said, "[Sam] was like family. I'm gonna try not to cry. It's just like we lost a piece of our DNA. It's too hard to talk about right now in depth."

He added, "[Sam] can't ever be replaced. I mean, we're so lucky for Richie [Buxton], who's playing with us right now. He's such a great player, and he's just a wonderful guy, and we're gonna hold on to him for as long as we can, 'cause he also plays in a band with his wife, Ecca Vandal, and they're doing really great right now, and their career's kind of blowing up. But we're just gonna keep Richie for as long as we can and keep moving forward."

Borland said the group, which also includes Fred Durst, John Otto and DJ Lethal, are still struggling to process the shock of losing their longtime bandmate.

He said, "Sam is not a replaceable person. He was the heartbeat. It's crazy talking about… very emotional talking about it. I think that last year when it happened, we were all kind of in shock, and now we're all grieving."

The band confirmed Rivers’ death in a statement shared on Instagram, describing him as “our brother, our bandmate, our heartbeat.”

Frontman Fred Durst also paid tribute, saying he had “been through gallons and gallons of tears” and expressing gratitude for the support fans have shown.

He said the reaction from fans highlights the lasting impact Rivers had, adding that his music would continue to resonate for years to come.

Rivers had previously stepped away from Limp Bizkit in 2015 due to liver disease linked to “excessive drinking.” He later underwent treatment and received a liver transplant, which he described as a successful match after following medical guidance.