Marilyn Manson Drops Lawsuit Against Evan Rachel Wood

Rock musician Marilyn Manson has dropped his lawsuit against former fiancée and “Westworld” actress Evan Rachel Wood after nearly two years of legal battles. The decision, announced Tuesday, also requires Manson to pay Wood’s legal fees, marking the end of a high-profile defamation case tied to allegations of abuse and misconduct.

Lawsuit Origins and Controversy

Manson, whose legal name is Brian Warner, initially filed the lawsuit in 2022, alleging that Wood fabricated accusations of sexual and physical abuse during their relationship. The suit further claimed that Wood encouraged other women to make similar allegations, tarnishing Manson’s reputation.

However, in 2023, a Los Angeles County judge dismissed significant portions of the case, including accusations that Wood forged an FBI letter to bolster claims of abuse. Despite appealing the ruling, Manson has now chosen to drop the remaining claims.

Manson’s Statement on Closing This Chapter

Manson’s attorney, Howard King, released a statement explaining the decision:

“After four years of fighting a battle where he was able to tell the truth, Brian is pleased to dismiss his still-pending claims and appeal in order to close the door on this chapter of his life.”

While the settlement resolves the legal dispute, Manson’s lawyer highlighted his belief that the musician had the opportunity to present his side of the story during the process.

Evan Rachel Wood’s Response

Wood’s legal team framed the lawsuit as a failed attempt to discredit her and other accusers. Her attorney, Michael J. Kump, said:

“Manson filed a lawsuit against Ms. Wood as a publicity stunt to try to undermine the credibility of his many accusers and revive his faltering career. But his attempt to silence and intimidate Ms. Wood failed.”

The actress declined Manson’s request for confidentiality regarding the settlement terms. Manson agreed to pay Wood $327,000 in attorney fees.

Background on Abuse Allegations and the #MeToo Movement

Wood first hinted at being a survivor of abuse during the #MeToo movement in 2017 but did not publicly name Manson until a 2020 Instagram post, where she alleged years of “horrific abuse.” The two had been in a relationship between 2007 and 2010, during which they were briefly engaged.

Manson has consistently denied all allegations of non-consensual sexual acts, asserting that the claims are baseless and part of a broader effort to derail his career.

Ongoing Investigations and Related Cases

The settlement comes as Manson remains under criminal investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct involving multiple women. The investigation, which began nearly four years ago, has yet to yield charges.

Outgoing LA County District Attorney George Gascón announced in October that new evidence had surfaced, with a final decision on potential charges still pending.

Other women have also come forward with allegations against Manson, including “Game of Thrones” actress Esme Bianco, who settled her own lawsuit with him in 2022.

Summary of Manson’s Lawsuit Allegations Against Wood

Manson’s original lawsuit against Wood and co-defendant Ashley Gore (also known as Illma Gore) included claims of:

• Defamation: Accusing Wood and Gore of fabricating abuse allegations.
• Emotional Distress: Alleging intentional harm to Manson’s reputation and career.
• Hacking and Fraud: Claiming Gore accessed Manson’s personal accounts and fabricated evidence.

Most claims were dismissed, but parts of the lawsuit involving alleged hacking remained until the recent settlement.