Marilyn Manson will not face criminal charges in a series of sexual assault and domestic violence allegations, Los Angeles County prosecutors said Friday.
The musician, whose real name is Brian Warner, has been accused by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department since 2021 of rape and abuse by several women. His accusers include “Westworld” actress Evan Rachel Wood and “Game of Thrones” actress Esme Bianco.
District. Atty. Nathan Hochman said in a statement Friday that the statute of limitations on domestic violence charges has run out and prosecutors don't believe rape charges can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
“We recognize and appreciate 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 during the investigation. We say,” Hochman said in a statement. “While we cannot press charges in this matter, the strong advocacy of the women involved has brought greater awareness to the challenges faced by survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault. We acknowledge that helped.”
The district attorney's office did not immediately respond to requests for more details on the decision. An attorney for Warner could not immediately be reached for comment.
The allegations against Warner first surfaced in 2021 after Bianco sued Monson for sexual assault, sexual battery and human trafficking. Both settled Bianco's case in 2023. That same year, Manson settled a lawsuit with an anonymous Jane Doe that was alleged to have been rape.
Wood, who has been romantically involved with Warner for years, has made the most detailed allegations against Warner, saying the singer first assaulted her during a simulated sex scene on the set of a music video in 2007, then “groomed” her. years.
Ashley Waters, a former assistant, sued Manson alleging harassment and assault.
LA County Sheriff's Department investigators searched Manson's mansion in 2021 and submitted a case to the District Attorney's Office in 2022. The victims became frustrated as years went by without a decision on the filing, and Bianco and Hochman held a press conference. Former District. Atty. George Gascon handled the case last year.
“Almost four years ago, I did what rape victims are supposed to do — I went to the police,” Bianco said in a statement released by Hochman's campaign last year. “Despite a thorough investigation and hundreds of pieces of evidence submitted to the district attorney's office, I still await justice. Meanwhile, I have received death threats while my abuser continues to publicly act out.
Gascon said last October that “new evidence” had come to light in the case, but did not elaborate on what it was.
Hochman did not immediately respond to a question about the last campaign event.
