‘New Evidence’ Surfaces In Marilyn Manson Sex Crime Probe; DA Blasted For Lack Of Charges

LOS ANGELES, CA — Prosecutors are investigating "new evidence" related to allegations of sex crimes against Marilyn Manson, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said this week amid criticism from his political opponent and one of the musician's accusers about how he's handled the case.

Manson, whose real name is Brian Warner, in recent years has been publicly accused of sexual misconduct by several women, including actresses Evan Rachel Wood and Esmé Bianco. After completing an investigation in 2022 into allegations against Warner, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department turned the case over to prosecutors.

But District Attorney George Gascón said at the time the probe was incomplete and he needed sheriff's investigators to flesh out what he called "partial case material."

“Experienced prosecutors from our office’s Sex Crimes Division are carefully reviewing new leads and additional evidence that continue to come to our attention from the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s investigation," Gascón said in a statement Wednesday. "New evidence has emerged within the last few weeks, adding to an already extensive case file presented to our office by the LASD."

Gascón's announcement came on the eve of a news conference held by his election opponent Nathan Hochman and Bianco, in which they accused Gascón of mishandling rape allegations against Warner and others.

Bianco, known for her role in "Game of Thrones," issued a statement Thursday in response to Gascón's update on the case. She said she came forward nearly four years ago with allegations that Warner raped and abused her over the course of their relationship.

"Despite a thorough investigation and hundreds of pieces of evidence being submitted to the District Attorney's Office, I am still waiting for justice," she said. "In the meantime, I have received death threats, while my abuser continues to perform publicly."

She continued: "It was not until D.A. Gascón knew I would stand up and publicly demand answers, while sharing a podium with his political opponent, that he tried to offer some explanation. This speaks volumes to where his priorities truly lie. Because I am not the only survivor waiting for answers, with a backlog of hundreds of cases sitting in limbo at the District Attorney's Office. While I have the privilege of media attention, many survivors do not. We will be ignored no longer. Justice delayed is justice denied and survivors deserve better."

Warner's attorney, Howard King, disputed the allegations in comments to the Los Angeles Times.

"They are all false, alleged to have taken place more than a decade ago and (are) part of a coordinated attack by former partners and associates of Mr. Warner who have weaponized the otherwise mundane details of his personal life and their consensual relationships into fabricated horror stories," he said. “Mr. Warner vehemently denies any and all claims of sexual assault or abuse of anyone."

Warner has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.

Manson was sued in 2021 by Bianco in filings that claimed sexual assault and sexual battery in what she described as a series of violent encounters.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, alleged that Warner had used "fraudulent offers of movie and music video roles to convince Ms. Bianco to travel to Los Angeles, whereupon Mr. Warner then made threats of force and performed violent sexual acts on Ms. Bianco to which she did not consent."

According to the lawsuit, Bianco was invited to Los Angeles from the United Kingdom by Warner with the promise of work, and after moving into the Goth rocker's West Hollywood apartment in 2011, she was not allowed to eat, sleep or leave without his permission.

The same year, Wood accused Warner of sexual and physical abuse during their relationship, which lasted from January 2007 until August 2010. He responded with a lawsuit against her, claiming she and another woman caused him emotional distress by encouraging other women to make false accusations against him.

Gascón appeared to address concerns raised by Bianco in his statement:

"It is our office’s responsibility to ensure that we have a complete picture of the admissible evidence available before making a filing decision. Senior staff members have met with victims, and our prosecutors continue to remain in contact with the victims and their representatives throughout this process. We are committed to making sure they are treated with dignity and respect.

"I have received requests from victims to meet personally to discuss the case, however, as the case is being investigated it would be inappropriate for me, as District Attorney, to meet with victims during this time. We anticipate making a filing decision soon and will provide an update when that time comes. At that time, I look forward to meeting with the victims to discuss how my office can continue to support them," he said.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Read more:

• Marilyn Manson's WeHo Apartment Raided In Sexual Assault Case
• Marilyn Manson Sexually Abused Teen On Tour Bus In 1995: Lawsuit
• Marilyn Manson Completes Community Service After NH Charge: Report