Marilyn Manson

Former assistant Ashley Walters accused Manson of sexual assault, battery and workplace abuse. Following several decisions on limitation periods, the case was reopened in January 2026 under the new revival window provided by California law AB 250. In August 2026, a jury trial was scheduled for 15 November 2027.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Accused

A complainant initially anonymous and subsequently publicly identified as Bianca Kyne sued Manson and former record labels, alleging that he had groomed and sexually assaulted her from 1995, when she was 16. The case was remanded from federal court to New York state court and was still listed on the Nassau County docket in July 2026.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Accused

Following a four-year investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department into allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault, the Los Angeles District Attorney announced in January 2025 that no charges would be filed. The domestic violence allegations identified were time-barred, and prosecutors concluded that they could not prove the sexual assault allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

State of the evidence

Documented

Manson sued Wood and Illma Gore, alleging conspiracy, defamation, fabrication of an FBI letter and hacking, among other things. In 2023, a judge dismissed a substantial part of the case under anti-SLAPP provisions, finding that he had not demonstrated a sufficient probability of success on several theories. In November 2024, Manson withdrew the lawsuit and agreed to pay Wood's legal fees.

Attribution

Protagonist is the complainant

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist is the complainant

Manson's return to touring in 2024 prompted demonstrations calling for certain concerts to be cancelled, while counter-demonstrators described the accusations as a '#MeToo hoax'. In Anaheim, opponents unsuccessfully asked the city council to prevent the concert.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Actress Esmé Bianco sued Manson in 2021, alleging, among other things, sexual assault, sexual battery and human trafficking. The parties reached an out-of-court settlement in January 2023, the terms of which were not made public.

Attribution

Accused

Ashley Morgan Smithline sued Manson in 2021 over alleged sexual assaults. The case was dismissed without prejudice in January 2023 after she lost her lawyer and missed a deadline. In February, she stated under oath that her allegations were false and that Evan Rachel Wood and others had manipulated her.

Attribution

Accused

An anonymous woman sued Manson in 2021, alleging that he had raped and threatened her while they were dating in 2011. The complaint, initially dismissed on limitation grounds and subsequently amended, was ultimately settled in September 2023, days before the scheduled trial.

State of the evidence

Settlement

Attribution

Accused

Manson faced two charges of simple assault in New Hampshire following a concert at which he spat and then sprayed nasal secretions onto a videographer. In 2023, he pleaded no contest to the charge relating to blowing his nose on her; the other charge was dropped. He received 20 hours of community service and a fine exceeding $1,400, part of which was suspended.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Evan Rachel Wood publicly stated in 2021 that Manson had groomed her when she was a teenager and then 'horrifically abused' her for years. Following the wave of allegations, Manson was dropped by his record label, manager and Creative Artists Agency and lost, among other things, a role in 'American Gods'.

Attribution

Accused

Following a concert in Michigan, Manson was prosecuted for sexually aggressive behaviour towards a security guard. In 2002, he pleaded no contest to reduced charges of disorderly person and assault and battery and was ordered to pay approximately $4,000 in fines and costs.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following the Columbine massacre, officials and activists publicly attributed an influence to violent music and Marilyn Manson. A Denver concert was cancelled and, amid demonstrations and what he described as 'irresponsible finger-pointing', Manson cancelled the final five dates of his US tour.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

The 'Antichrist Superstar' tour prompted religious campaigns, pressure from elected officials, cancellations and threats of boycotts in several states. Richmond cancelled a municipal concert citing 'community standards' before reversing its decision following the threat of constitutional litigation; other venues were also contested.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The Washington Post reported in 1997 that Manson had been arrested twice in Florida in 1995 for indecent exposure during performances, at the beginning of the escalating controversies surrounding his stage persona.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Personally implicated

Salt Lake City's Delta Center prohibited Marilyn Manson from opening for Nine Inch Nails, citing a clause against indecent, obscene or immoral conduct. Reznor nevertheless invited Manson to speak during his set; Manson then tore up a Book of Mormon on stage.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Directly implicated