Marilyn Manson cleared of sexual assault charges as California investigation concludes

Prosecutors in California announced on Friday that they have concluded a multi-year investigation into allegations of sexual assault and domestic abuse against rock musician Marilyn Manson.

Prosecutors claimed in a statement that “we cannot prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt” and that the accusations against Manson were beyond the statute of limitations.

Four women sued Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, alleging he had committed rape, sexual assault, and physical harm.

Warner consistently refuted the charges and brushed them off as “falsehoods” through his attorney.

Warner’s lawyer, Howard King, said that his client has consistently insisted on his innocence and that they are “very pleased” with the ruling.

Model Ashley Morgan Smithline, Game of Thrones actor Esmé Bianco, and Warner’s former personal assistant Ashley Walters are among the four women who sued the company, alleging that it had sexually and physically abused them. The fourth woman chose not to reveal her identity.

In the statement, Nathan J. Hochman of the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office stated, “We acknowledge and celebrate the bravery and tenacity of the women who came forward to file reports and share their experiences.”

“We thank them for their cooperation and patience with the investigation.”

Authorities began investigating reported occurrences in Warner’s home neighborhood of West Hollywood between 2009 and 2011.

The rock singer was the target of accusations from over a dozen women, including his ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood.

According to court filings, Smithline, the woman who filed the most recent case out of the four, said that Warner had “repeatedly threatened” her life, stating that he would “find her” and “kill her if she left him.”

Her testimony aligned with the experiences of Walters, who, in court filings, described Warner as a harsh and frightening boss who permitted friends to kiss and grope her. Additionally, he forced her to work for 48 straight hours.

Since the accusations, Warner’s manager, booking agent, and record label have all severed their ties with him.

In February 2021, Warner posted on Instagram, saying, “Obviously, my art and my life have long been magnets for controversy, but these recent claims about me are horrible distortions of reality.”