Dolly Parton's Estate Files for Restraining Order Against Her Nephew

Dolly Parton's Estate Fires Nephew Bryan Seaver From Security Role

Dolly Parton's manager is taking legal action against her nephew on behalf of her estate.  

Danny Nozell requested a temporary restraining order for himself and Parton's business partners against Bryan Seaver following his dismissal as head of security for Parton's estate, according to court documents obtained by TMZ. The approved restraining order was filed through She’s Alive, LLC—a company established by the "Jolene" artist before her Aug. 25 death—and included an additional lawsuit against Seaver, according to court filings obtained by People. 

The legal filings alleged that Seaver had been extorting Parton's estate for money by "invoking his self-proclaimed military-contractor experience, access to weapons and capacity for violence," per TMZ, citing docs stating that the behavior was the reason for Seaver's termination. 

As such, the documents included records of messages allegedly sent by the security operator that claim he used threatening language to coerce members of Parton's estate to comply with demands for money.  

"Her money better be bigger than I can make elsewhere or I’m going to f--k everyone," one alleged message stated, per TMZ. "I am about to become the hand of retribution for my entire family." 

"All I do is warfare," Seaver, who was employed by Parton for over 20 years until his Sept. 15 firing, allegedly wrote, "everyone needs to be worried about what I might do." 

The temporary restraining order, which was granted Sept. 22 according to People, noted that Parton's estate believed that Seaver's military background augmented the severity of the threats. In addition, the lawsuit alleged that Seaver—the son of Parton’s sister Cassie Parton and Larry Seaver—voiced intent to harm Parton's brand. 

"In writing, he vowed to 'destroy the entire brand,'" one filing read, per People, "and also told her entertainment attorney: 'I’m not an entertainment person. I’m a killer.'" 

E! News has reached out to Seaver, Nozell and reps for Parton for comment but has not yet heard back. 

Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Webster PR

"As the entity entrusted by Ms. Parton to protect and promote her life’s work for future generations, SAL must cultivate a safe work environment for employees, advisors and partners, free from intimidation or hostility—particularly intimidation by an armed former security contractor," one document added, according to People. "Without relief, Defendants’ calculated campaign will continue to inflict fear, to destabilize SAL’s operations and to cause further irreparable harm." 

Seaver—who announced Parton’s death on behalf of the family—previously told TMZ he was "dismayed by the unexpected and, so far, unexplained actions" of his firing. 

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