Dolly Parton's estate, She's Alive, LLC, has accused the late singer's nephew, Bryan Seaver, of extortion and making threats against staff, leading to a request for a restraining order. The legal action follows Seaver's termination from his position as head of security for the estate.
The estate, managed by Parton's former manager Danny Nozell, alleges that Seaver began making demands shortly before Parton's death, which escalated into serious threats. Court records reviewed by The New York Times suggest these actions were an attempt to financially exploit the Parton estate.
Bryan Seaver, son of Dolly Parton's sister Cassie Parton, announced his aunt's death via a video on her Instagram account on August 25. Seaver stated he was fulfilling a request from Parton made years prior and that he had followed in his father's footsteps as Parton's head of security for over two decades. He and his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services, LLC, were reportedly dismissed approximately three weeks after Parton's passing.
The restraining order, filed in Davidson County Chancery Court in Nashville, seeks to prevent Seaver from accessing Parton's properties and contacting her staff. The court records reportedly detail allegations that Seaver sent a profane threat to a Dollywood business partner and referred to himself as a "killer" in correspondence with one of Parton's attorneys.
Danny Nozell, Parton's long-time manager, is credited with revitalizing her international touring career. He previously stated that Parton was actively working on multiple projects until her final day, meticulously planning for the future with a handpicked team to ensure her legacy and work would continue to bring joy for decades to come.
A statement attributed to Seaver and his team expressed dismay over "unexplained actions" after Parton's death. They asserted their commitment to fulfilling Parton's final wishes to protect her family and stated their refusal to be intimidated by actions they believe are made in bad faith and intended for personal profit.
