Marilyn Manson sexual assault investigation dropped by lawyers

A years-long investigation into Marilyn Manson over sexual assault and domestic violence allegations has been dropped, California prosecutors said on Friday.

Prosecutors said in a statement the allegations against Manson exceeded the statute of limitations, adding “we cannot prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt”.

Four women had filed lawsuits against Manson – whose legal name is Brian Warner – accusing him of rape, sexual assault and bodily harm.

Through his lawyer, Warner repeatedly denied the accusations and dismissed the claims as “falsehoods”.

Howard King, Warner’s attorney, said in a statement to the BBC that they are “very pleased” with the decision, and that his client has always maintained his innocence.

The four women who filed lawsuits accusing Warner of sexual and physical abuse include model Ashley Morgan Smithline, Game of Thrones actress Esmé Bianco and Warner’s former personal assistant Ashley Walters. The fourth woman chose to remain anonymous.

“We recognise and applaud the courage and resilience of the women who came forward to make reports and share their experiences,” Nathan J Hochman from 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 investigations 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 of the four women – said in court documents that Warner had “repeatedly threatened” her life, saying 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 gave friends permission to grope and kiss her. He also made her work for 48 hours in a row.

Since the allegations were made, Warner’s record label, booking agent and manager have severed ties with him.

“Obviously, my art and my life have long been magnets for controversy, but these recent claims about me are horrible distortions of reality,” Warner wrote in an Instagram post in February 2021.