Marilyn Manson accuser Esmé Bianco has expressed her disappointment that Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman has dropped their investigation of Marilyn Manson (real name Brian Warner) over allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault.
In 2021, Bianco accused Manson of years of abuse starting in 2009. Bianco sued Manson for sexual assault, human trafficking, and abuse amid some pretty horrendous allegations of threats of violence and rape. Bianco and Manson ultimately settled their lawsuit out of court in 2023 for an undisclosed amount.
In her statement posted to Instagram, Bianco said she was disappoint but ultimately unsurprised that the investigation against Manson was dropped.
"Whilst I am deeply disappointed by the decision of the District Attorney to not bring charges in the case against Brian Warner, I am sadly not surprised. Within our toxic culture of victim blaming; a lack of understanding of coercive control, the complex nature of sexual assault within intimate partnerships, and statutes of limitations that do not support the realities of healing; prosecutions face an oftentimes insurmountable hurdle.
"Once again, our justice system has failed survivors. Not the individual prosecutors and detectives who worked for years on this case, but the system that made them do so with one hand tied behind their collective backs. Seven years ago when I was faced for the first time with that failure, it set me out on a journey of advocacy and activism, but with that came a very clear directive. My healing and peace could not be reliant upon the outcome of a desperately broken system.
"I know the truth of what happened to me. It sits deeply rooted in my belly, unshakable, mine. No- one and nothing can take that away. And so to all the survivors reading this, who are being hit by yet another piece of stinging news and feeling hopeless or discouraged, let me remind you: you know your truth also. Let that be your anchor, for it is stronger than the bars of any prison.
"Using that truth as our guide we can draw strength to continue the fight for justice reform. Shine our light onto the dark realities of sexual violence and intimate partner abuse, so that we can not only understand it but end it. Strive to heal not only ourselves but the hurt people who hurt others. Our culture needs your love, compassion and bright light now more than ever. That is the truth.
"To Brian Warner, I say only this. By you dragging me through hell, I discovered the unstoppable force of my own power. I learnt how strong, and brave and bold I really am. I emerged as a Phoenix from the ashes that you left of my life. You also know the truth, and may you endeavor to find peace with that."
In a statement to Billboard shortly after the investigation was dropped, Manson's attorney Howard King said: "We are very pleased that, after a thorough and incredibly lengthy review of all of the actual evidence, the District Attorney has concluded what we knew and expressed from the start – Brian Warner is innocent."
Investigation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney began in 2021, which resulted in a search of Manson's home. The investigation stretched into late 2024 when then-Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón issued a statement saying there was new evidence against Manson brought to their Sex Crimes Division regarding Manson. Gascón was voted out of office in December 3, 2024.
