Marilyn Manson, the controversial rock star who rose to fame in the mid-1990s, will not face charges following an extensive investigation into allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced on Friday that the case against Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, would not proceed due to insufficient evidence and the expiration of the statute of limitations.
The investigation began after Evan Rachel Wood, a former partner of Manson, publicly accused him of abuse in a 2021 Instagram post. This prompted a series of legal inquiries, including a search warrant executed at Manson's West Hollywood residence. However, despite these efforts, prosecutors ultimately decided not to file charges.
Manson first emerged as a musical star in the mid-1990s, known for both his chart-topping hits and his tendency to court controversy. His notable works include songs like "The Beautiful People" and albums such as "Antichrist Superstar" (1996) and "Mechanical Animals" (1998). In 2007, his relationship with actress Evan Rachel Wood became public when he was 38 and she was 19. They were briefly engaged in 2010 before eventually parting ways.
In 2021, Wood named Manson as her abuser, leading to a series of legal challenges for the musician. However, her representative has not commented on the latest development as of Friday. The accusations prompted the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to investigate incidents reported between 2009 and 2011.
One significant case involved Esmé Bianco, an actor from "Game of Thrones," who sued Manson for alleged sexual, physical, and emotional abuse. Bianco claimed Manson violated human trafficking laws by coercing her into traveling from England to California under false pretenses. This case was eventually settled, but it added to the mounting legal pressure against Manson.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated:
“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,” – Nathan Hochman
Manson has consistently denied the allegations, referring to them as "horrible distortions of reality" in a social media post. The decision not to press charges marks a significant turning point in the saga that has enveloped the artist over recent years.