LOS ANGELES — On Friday, prosecutors announced their decision not to pursue charges against Marilyn Manson, following an extensive investigation into claims of sexual assault and domestic violence that have lasted for several years.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman indicated that the allegations were too old to be prosecuted under current laws, and that there wasn’t enough evidence to substantiate charges against the 56-year-old musician, whose real name is Brian Warner. “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. He also acknowledged the bravery of the women who came forward and expressed gratitude for their cooperation throughout the investigation.
Nearly four years after the inquiry began, former District Attorney George Gascón announced on October 9 that his office was following new leads, which contributed to the already extensive file gathered by authorities. The investigation, initiated in 2021, focused on incidents that allegedly took place between 2009 and 2011 in West Hollywood, the musician’s residence at that time. The investigation included a search warrant executed at his home and initially wrapped up in September 2021, but further evidence was required, leading to its continuation.
Howard King, Manson’s attorney, expressed satisfaction with the District Attorney’s conclusion, 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.”
While the identities of the women involved in the investigation remained confidential, actress Esmé Bianco, known for her role in “Game of Thrones,” indicated her involvement in the criminal inquiry. Bianco, who has settled a lawsuit against Manson, previously criticized the lengthy investigative process at a rally for Hochman shortly prior to the decision not to prosecute. On October 10, she shared her experience with authorities: “Almost four years ago, I did what victims of rape are supposed to do: I went to the police,” she recounted, detailing the abuse she suffered during her relationship with Manson.
Bianco mentioned that she provided investigators with extensive evidence, including photographs of injuries and messages that showcased threats to her immigration status. Her lawsuit also accused Manson of violating human trafficking laws by bringing her from England to California for fictitious roles in music-related projects, alleging sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.
In her statement regarding the District Attorney’s decision not to bring charges, Bianco expressed disappointment but indicated that she was not surprised, criticizing the justice system for failing survivors despite the diligent efforts of the prosecutors and detectives involved in the case.
Marilyn Manson’s relationship with actress Evan Rachel Wood became public in 2007 when he was 38 and she was 19. Their engagement in 2010 was short-lived, and in 2021, Wood publicly named Manson as her abuser, stating, “He started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years.” In response, Manson called these accusations “horrible distortions of reality” and filed a lawsuit against Wood, claiming she and another woman had concocted allegations against him, eventually withdrawing the suit and covering Wood’s legal fees after significant portions were dismissed by the court.
In the wake of Wood’s allegations, other women also came forward with accusations against Manson. Manson, a significant figure in the music world since the mid-1990s, gained notoriety not only for his chart-topping hits like “The Beautiful People” but also for the controversies his persona often ignited, including notable albums like “Antichrist Superstar” and “Mechanical Animals.”
