Marilyn Manson drops lawsuit against former fiancee Evan Rachel Wood

Marilyn Manson has agreed to drop a defamation lawsuit against his former fiancée Evan Rachel Wood, lawyers for both have said.

The musician has also agreed to pay Wood's legal fees of almost $327,000 (about £260,000).

In 2020, the Westworld actress publicly claimed the rocker, whose real name is Brian Warner, sexually and physically abused her during their relationship.

Manson, 55, filed a lawsuit in 2022, saying the claims were fabricated and had "derailed" his career. A Los Angeles County judge threw out several key sections of the suit the following year.

Now, the rocker's lawyer Howard King has said in a statement: "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."

Manson was initially appealing the judge's decision, but his legal team contacted Wood's attorneys seeking a settlement in the spring, according to the Associated Press news agency.

The actress, 37, rejected requests that the terms be kept confidential, her lawyers 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", Wood's lawyer Michael J Kump said in a statement. "But his attempt to silence and intimidate Ms Wood failed."

Wood and Manson confirmed their relationship in 2007, with the couple getting engaged in 2010. However, they called off the relationship just seven months later.

The settlement comes nearly four years into a criminal investigation of Manson involving several women. Manson has denied engaging in any non-consensual sexual acts.

In October, outgoing LA County district attorney George Gascon said his office's sex crimes division was "carefully reviewing new leads and additional evidence" and that they wanted to have "a complete picture" before making a decision on whether to file charges.