Marilyn Manson has decided to drop his lawsuit against ex-fiancée Evan Rachel Wood, as well as a pending appeal related to the case. Manson’s lawyer, Howard King, told TMZ that the rocker, whose real name is Brian Warner, is ending the legal battle to move forward with his life after four years of disputes.
As part of this resolution, Manson has agreed to pay nearly $327,000 in attorneys’ fees for Wood, a sum ordered by the court earlier this year.
Wood’s legal team offered a different perspective on the decision, suggesting that Manson’s lawsuit was a “publicity stunt” meant to discredit his accusers and salvage his career. According to reports, Manson previously sought a confidential settlement, which Wood rejected, unwilling to accept terms that could potentially limit her ability to speak out.
Manson filed the lawsuit in March 2022, accusing Wood and her associate Illma Gore of fabricating sexual assault allegations and impersonating an FBI agent to recruit others to make similar claims against him. The suit came shortly before the release of Wood’s documentary Phoenix Rising, where she recounted her allegations of abuse against Manson. Wood had first made these claims public in a 2021 Instagram post.
Following the documentary, over a dozen women came forward with allegations of abuse against Manson, some filing lawsuits. Manson has denied all allegations.
Wood’s representatives have framed Manson’s decision to drop the case as vindication, noting the court’s prior dismissal of his claims and his agreement to pay her legal fees. For now, this marks the conclusion of a contentious legal chapter in the ongoing saga of allegations against the musician.
