Dolly Parton’s estate sued her nephew Bryan Seaver over alleged threats involving people tied to her legacy. The lawsuit followed Seaver’s recent dismissal after nearly 20 years overseeing security at Parton’s properties.
Parton’s manager, Danny Nozell, filed the case on behalf of She’s Alive, LLC. The estate also secured a temporary restraining order against Seaver on Tuesday, according to court documents.
Dolly Parton’s estate has reportedly filed a lawsuit against her nephew Bryan Seaver
Entertainment Weekly reviewed the complaint and reported that Nozell accused Seaver of threatening the estate. The filing alleged that Seaver began making threats weeks before Parton’s death. It said those threats continued after her August 25 passing. Nozell claimed Seaver targeted estate personnel, attorneys and business partners.
He alleged Seaver vowed to “destroy the entire brand” and threatened to “ratf— every [business party] entity” operating Dollywood. The filing also alleged that Seaver called himself “an international arms dealer and mercenary.” It claimed he wrote, “Everyone needs to be worried about what I might do,” and told Parton’s entertainment attorney, “I’m not an entertainment person. I’m a killer.”
The estate said some personnel resigned because of the alleged threats. Parton’s trusts and estates attorney also withdrew after Seaver allegedly targeted her. Other people connected to the estate reportedly hired private security. Seaver disputed the allegations in a statement to TMZ. He said his comments had been taken out of context.
“I am a career soldier and military contractor and do conduct arms deals for foreign governments. I am a security professional and I am a killer,” Seaver told the outlet. “However, nothing in this lawsuit were threats and most of the comments I stand by.”
Seaver said he thought Nozell “was my friend” and described their conversations as private exchanges. “A lot of these messages are two guys having rage talk and crying on the phone together while we were grieving,” he told TMZ. He also addressed the alleged Dollywood comment, saying it concerned specific business partners who had treated Parton badly.
“Those comments were about specific, horrible business partners that have done wrong to her and I stand by that,” he said.
