LOS ANGELES — Prosecutors have decided not to file charges against Marilyn Manson after a lengthy investigation into allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence. The Los Angeles County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, explained that the claims are too old and that there wasn’t enough evidence to pursue a case against the 56-year-old artist, whose real name is Brian Warner.
In a statement, Hochman said, “We cannot prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt,” while acknowledging the bravery of the women who spoke out during the investigation. He expressed appreciation for their cooperation and patience throughout the process.
The investigation started nearly four years ago, initially led by then-District Attorney George Gascón, who mentioned on October 9 that they were exploring new leads in what was already a large case file. The LA County sheriff’s detectives began looking into incidents involving Manson that allegedly occurred between 2009 and 2011 in West Hollywood, where he lived at that time. They even executed a search warrant at his home as part of this inquiry.
Esmé Bianco, known for her role in “Game of Thrones,” was one of the women interviewed during the investigation. She previously filed a lawsuit against Manson, which has since been resolved. Bianco had actively criticized the pace of the investigation during a rally for Hochman, stating, “Almost four years ago, I went to the police and explained in detail how Brian Warner had raped and abused me.”
Bianco shared that she provided investigators with a wealth of evidence, including photos of her injuries, as well as emails and text messages that reflected the situation she experienced. Her lawsuit claimed she suffered sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and alleged that Manson violated human trafficking laws by bringing her to California under false pretenses.
Manson’s legal team has previously dismissed the allegations as “provably false.” His representative did not respond to requests for comments following the announcement from prosecutors. Bianco’s camp also did not reply right away.
In 2021, Manson’s ex-fiancée, Evan Rachel Wood, publicly named him as her abuser. Their relationship sparked controversy, starting when she was just 19 and he was 38. Wood alleged that he groomed her as a teenager and abused her for years. Manson has denied these claims, describing them as “horrible distortions of reality.” He filed a lawsuit against Wood and others for defamation, but a judge dismissed key parts of the case, and Manson eventually chose to withdraw it, agreeing to pay Wood’s attorney fees.
While many women have come forward with accusations against Manson, The Associated Press does not typically identify those claiming sexual abuse unless they publicly disclose their names, as Bianco and Wood have done. Manson first rose to fame in the mid-1990s, known for his provocative persona and hits like “The Beautiful People” and albums such as “Antichrist Superstar.”
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