Evan Rachel Wood Says She's 'Endlessly Proud of Survivors' After D.A. Says Her Ex Marilyn Manson Won't Face Sex Abuse Charges

Mar. 15, 2025

Wood in 2022 and Manson in 2020.Photo:Leon Bennett/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Evan Rachel Wood attends the “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” Premiere; Marilyn Manson attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Leon Bennett/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Evan Rachel Woodis speaking out for the first time since Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said his office would not be filing domestic abuse and sexual assault charges against her ex-fiancé,Marilyn Manson.

Wood, 37, shared a post to her private Instagram account on Friday, Jan. 24, in which she wrote candidly about Hochman’s decision earlier in the day not to charge Manson (born Brian Warner) after a four-year investigation into allegations against him. It is unclear which allegations and conduct the investigation centered on.

“Unfortunately, the Phoenix Act cannot help in cases which occurred before it was passed, but I hope this shines a light on why it’s so important to advocate for better laws,” Wood continued.

‘I hope this shines a light on why it’s so important to advocate for better laws,’ Wood wrote in part.Evan Rachel Wood/Instagram

Evan Rachel Wood, Instagram

Evan Rachel Wood/Instagram

Wood wrote and created thePhoenix Actwith the help of legislators and domestic violence survivors in 2019. The lawextends the time victims have to come forward and get justiceand was signed into law in California that year. It extends the statute of limitations for domestic violence felony crimes from three years to five years. It also expands training requirements for police officers to help them properly identify survivors of domestic violence without causing additional harm.

Wood on ‘Watch What Happens Live.'.Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE WITH ANDY COHEN – Episode 19182 – Pictured: Evan Rachel Wood

Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

Hochman said Friday that the allegations against Manson fell outside the statute of limitations in California.

“We have determined that allegations of domestic violence fall outside of the statute of limitations, and we cannot prove charges of sexual assault beyond a reasonable doubt," Hochman said in his announcement, adding that the investigation against Manson was closed.

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Manson has also faced other allegations of sexual misconduct outside of Wood’s claims, including fromGame of Thronesactress Esmé Bianco, whoaccused him in a 2021 lawsuit of sexual assault, abuse and battery. She alleged that the musician locked her in a bedroom, tied her up, whipped her and electrocuted her. Theysettled the case out of courtin 2023.

Marilyn Manson.Chelsea Lauren/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

Marilyn Manson

Chelsea Lauren/WWD/Penske Media via Getty

Manson’s attorney, Howard King, said Hochman’s decision vindicated his client.

“We are very pleased that, after a thorough and incredibly lengthy review of all of theactualevidence, the District Attorney has concluded what we knew and expressed from the start - Brian Warner is innocent," said King.

Mansonfiled a defamation suitagainst Wood in 2021 in which he denied the allegations, calling them a “malicious falsehood.” Hedroppedthe suit last year after agreeing to pay Wood’s $327,000 in legal fees.

A representative for Wood did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

source: people.com