Marilyn Manson sexual assault investigation dropped by lawyers
California prosecutors said Friday that a year-long investigation of rock star Marilyn Manson has ended over allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Prosecutors said in a statement that the allegations against Manson exceeded the statute of limitations, adding, “We cannot prove allegations of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt”.
Four women had filed lawsuits against Manson – whose legal name is Brianna Warner – accusing him of rape, sexual assault and bodily harm.
Through his attorney, Warner repeatedly denied the allegations and dismissed the claims as “lies”.
Warner’s lawyer Howard King said in a statement to the BBC that he was “very pleased” with the verdict, and that his client has always maintained his innocence.
The four women who accused Warner of physical abuse include model Ashley Morgan Smithline, Game of Thrones actress Esme Bianco and Warner’s former personal assistant Ashley Walters. The fourth woman chose to remain anonymous.
“We recognize and applaud the courage and resilience of the women who came forward to report and share their experiences,” Nathan J. Hochman of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in the statement.
“We thank them for their cooperation and patience with the investigation.”
Authorities began their investigation in 2021, looking into alleged incidents between 2009 and 2011 in West Hollywood, where Warner lived.
In total, more than a dozen women had made allegations against the rock star, including his ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood.
Smithline – who filed the most recent lawsuit by the four women – said in court documents that Warner had “repeatedly threatened” that he would “find her” and “kill her if she left him”.
Her testimony echoed the experiences of Walters, who, in court documents, described Warner as a terrifying and violent boss who allowed friends to grope and kiss her. He worked continuously for 48 hours.
Since the allegations were made, Warner’s record label, booking agent and manager have severed relations with him.
“Obviously, my art and my life have long been magnets for controversy, but these recent claims about me are terrible distortions of reality,” Warner wrote in an Instagram post in February 2021.
