'New evidence' emerges in Marilyn Manson sexual abuse case, DA says

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office says they’re now reviewing new evidence involving sexual assault allegations against Marilyn Manson.

"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," the DA's office said in a statement. "We are committed to making sure they are treated with dignity and respect."

On Thursday, dozens of prosecutors walked out of the L.A. Hall of Justice building to stand behind Esme Bianco. 

"Victims have to be treated with dignity and part of that is bringing charges in a timely manner," said Bianco.

RELATED: Actress Esme Bianco claims DA Gascón ignored her claims about Marilyn Manson

The Game of Thrones actress first came forward in 2021 accusing Manson (Brian Warner) of rape. After a nearly 4-year investigation, the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office has yet to accept or deny charges.

"I have reached out to Mr. Gascon directly, time and again, asking for him to meet with me and to offer an explanation why they still haven’t made a decision on whether to prosecute," said Bianco. "Time and again, he has ignored me."

Just hours before the rally was held Thursday, Gascón’s office sent out a press release saying they’re looking over new evidence in the Marlyn Manson case.

"He has said nothing to me for years until I called a press conference," said Bianco.  "That says it all."

Gascón says they sent out the update on the Manson after receiving media inquiries.

"We’re here to protect the victims," Gascón said in a FOX 11 interview.  "I understand how a might want to have that personal touch from me, but right now that could compromise her case."

At the press conference Thursday outside the Hall of Justice building was Nathan Hochman, Gascón's challenger in the upcoming election for District Attorney.

"Of course, you speak to a victim to understand every nuance of their story," said Hochman.

Hochman told FOX 11 it’s unfortunate that it took Bianco to have a press conference with him for there to be an update released on the case.

"If it requires me to hold a press conference every single day, I would do it for the victims and maybe that would get Mr. Gascon to do his job," said Hochman.

"Anybody that politicizes the suffering of a human being for political gains, it’s really unfortunate," responded Gascón.

The District Attorney’s office is working with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department on the Manson case.

Manson has previously denied all allegations of sexual assault.

"I’m not the only victim who is existing in limbo," said Bianco.  "There are hundreds and hundreds of violent sexual assault cases of which no charging decision has been made."

Other Victims Who Came Forward  

Bianco isn't the only victim to speak out. Manson has also been accused of sexual harassment and assault by Ashley Walters, a photographer who worked with and for Manson Records from May 2010 to October 2011. 

She alleged the singer sexually abused and battered her multiple times and required her to travel with drugs. She also maintained that he bragged about raping women and showed her a video of himself abusing an underage girl.

Manson's attorney, Gene Williams Stern, said that much of what Walters alleged was contradictory and that the evidence showed she knew the alleged abuses were wrong at the time. He also said Walters did not provide proof of any threats by Manson.

Walters' case is still working its way through the court system. She came forward along with several other women who accused the singer of sexual abuse, including actress Evan Rachel Wood.

Wood said she had been raped and abused, and she gave testimony to a Congressional committee in 2018, both without naming anyone. Then in an Instagram post in February of 2020, Wood named Manson, saying he "horrifically abused me for years." Manson was dropped by his record label. Several other women came forward with similar allegations. At least three of them filed lawsuits.

In Nov. 2021, the LASD raided Warner’s home, executing a search warrant for his belongings. 

Manson in March filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Wood and her allegations that he sexually and physically abused her during their relationship. The lawsuit alleged that Wood’s allegations were fabricated, and that she and another woman named as a defendant, Illma Gore, used false pretenses including a phony letter from the FBI to convince other women to come forward with sexual abuse allegations and coached them on what to say about Manson.

The LASD turned in the findings of its investigation into Manson to the DA's office in 2022.