Why won't Marilyn Manson be charged? LA District Attorney says allegations of s*xual abuse do not meet certain criteria

On January 24, 2025, Los Angeles County prosecutors announced that shock rocker Marilyn Manson, aka Brian Warner, will not face criminal charges following a years-long investigation into allegations of s*xual assault and domestic violence. The decision was attributed to the age of the allegations and insufficient evidence to proceed.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman explained that the allegations fell outside the statute of limitations for domestic violence and lacked sufficient evidence to prove s*xual assault charges beyond a reasonable doubt. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter on January 24, 2025, Hochman also praised the courage of the women who came forward, stating:

"We recognize and applaud the resilience of these individuals who shared their experiences and thank them for their cooperation and patience with the investigation."

The investigation, initiated by LA County sheriff's detectives in early 2021, focused on incidents allegedly occurring between 2009 and 2011 at Manson’s West Hollywood home. Detectives executed a search warrant at the residence and submitted their findings to the District Attorney’s Office in September 2021.

Prosecutors requested additional evidence during the extended investigation, but ultimately concluded that the case did not meet the legal thresholds required to file charges.

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Esmé Bianco’s allegations against Marilyn Manson and other lawsuits

One of the women involved in the investigation was Game of Thrones actor Esmé Bianco, who previously filed a lawsuit against Marilyn Manson, alleging s*xual, physical, and emotional abuse. Bianco claimed that Manson violated human trafficking laws by bringing her from England to California for fabricated roles in music videos and movies.

Her lawsuit included evidence such as photos of bruises and knife wounds, emails, text messages, and threats to her immigration status. Although Bianco’s lawsuit was settled in January 2023, she expressed disappointment in the criminal justice system’s inability to bring charges against Manson on October 10, as reported by the Associated Press.

"Once again, our justice system has failed survivors," Bianco said in a statement. "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."

In 2021, Marilyn Manson's former fiancée, Westworld actor Evan Rachel Wood, publicly accused him of allegedly grooming and abusing her during their relationship, which began in 2007 when she was 19 and he was 38. Manson denied the allegations, calling them "horrible distortions of reality."

He later sued Wood and another woman for defamation, claiming they fabricated accusations and influenced others to join them. According to AP News, a judge partially dismissed the lawsuit, and Manson dropped the case in November 2023, agreeing to pay Wood’s attorney fees.

Several other women also filed lawsuits against Marilyn Manson after Wood’s public disclosure. These lawsuits alleged a range of abusive behaviors, but many were settled out of court. Howard King, Manson’s attorney, welcomed the District Attorney’s decision not to press charges.

"We are very pleased that, after a thorough and incredibly lengthy review of all the actual evidence, the District Attorney has concluded what we knew and expressed from the start—Brian Warner is innocent," King said in a statement.

Marilyn Manson rose to fame in the 1990s with his provocative persona and hit albums such as 1996's Antichrist Superstar and 1998's Mechanical Animals. Known for courting controversy, Manson became a cultural lightning rod that often overshadowed his musical achievements.

Despite the decision not to charge him, the allegations have significantly impacted Manson's career and public image. The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office emphasized that the decision was based solely on legal criteria and should not undermine the courage of those who reported their experiences.