Marilyn Manson Will Not Face Charges Following Years-Long Investigation Into Sexual Assault Allegations
After a lengthy investigation into allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence, prosecutors announced Friday that they will not press charges against shock rocker Marilyn Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner.
Reasons for Dismissal
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman cited insufficient evidence and the expiration of the statute of limitations as key reasons for the decision.
“We have determined that allegations of domestic violence fall outside of the statute of limitations, and we cannot prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt,” Hochman stated. “We recognize and applaud the courage and resilience of the women who came forward to make reports and share their experiences, and we thank them for their cooperation and patience with the investigation.”
The decision concludes an investigation that spanned nearly four years, beginning in early 2021. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department had been looking into incidents alleged to have occurred between 2009 and 2011 at Manson’s West Hollywood residence. A search warrant was executed at his home during the probe, and the case was initially handed over to prosecutors in September 2021. However, the District Attorney’s Office requested further evidence, which delayed the process.
Manson’s Response
Manson’s attorney, Howard King, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating:
“We are very pleased that, after a thorough and incredibly lengthy review of all of the actual evidence, the District Attorney has concluded what we knew and expressed from the start — Brian Warner is innocent.”
Allegations from Esmé Bianco and Evan Rachel Wood
While the identities of many accusers remain undisclosed, high-profile allegations from “Game of Thrones” actor Esmé Bianco and “Westworld” actor Evan Rachel Wood have been widely publicized.
Esmé Bianco’s Claims
Bianco, who was part of the criminal investigation and filed a lawsuit against Manson, criticized the prolonged process. Speaking at a rally for Hochman in October, she recounted her experience:
“Almost four years ago, I did what victims of rape are supposed to do: I went to the police. I described to them in agonizing detail how the rock musician Brian Warner — better known by his stage name Marilyn Manson — had raped and abused me over the course of our relationship.”
Bianco claimed she provided investigators with extensive evidence, including photos of bruises, bite marks, and knife wounds, as well as emails, text messages, and alleged threats to her immigration status. In her lawsuit, she accused Manson of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as violating human trafficking laws by luring her from England to California under false pretenses. The lawsuit was later settled out of court.
Following the District Attorney’s decision, Bianco issued a statement:
“Whilst I am deeply disappointed by the decision of the District Attorney to not bring charges in the case against Brian Warner, I am sadly not surprised. Once again, our justice system has failed survivors — not the individual prosecutors and detectives who worked for years on this case, but the system that made them do so with one hand tied behind their collective backs.”
Evan Rachel Wood’s Accusations
Evan Rachel Wood publicly named Manson as her abuser in 2021, alleging on Instagram that he groomed and abused her throughout their relationship.
“He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years,” Wood wrote.
Manson denied the claims, calling them “horrible distortions of reality.” He later sued Wood, accusing her and another woman of fabricating allegations and coercing others to do the same. The lawsuit was partially dismissed by a judge, and Manson ultimately dropped the case in November 2023, agreeing to pay Wood’s legal fees.
Other Allegations and Fallout
Wood’s public allegations prompted several other women to come forward with lawsuits against Manson, although none resulted in criminal charges.
The Associated Press typically withholds the names of individuals alleging sexual abuse unless they choose to speak publicly, as Bianco and Wood have.
Manson’s Career and Legacy
Marilyn Manson rose to fame in the mid-1990s, known for his provocative persona and controversial performances. He gained widespread recognition with hits like “The Beautiful People” and albums such as Antichrist Superstar (1996) and Mechanical Animals (1998).
