Dolly Parton’s Estate Accuses Nephew of Threats
The estate of country music icon Dolly Parton has accused her nephew of making violent threats and attempting to undermine her legacy and business empire, seeking a judge’s order to keep him away from employees and business dealings.
Dolly Parton’s estate has accused the country music icon’s nephew of threatening violence and to destroy his aunt’s legacy and business empire, asking a judge to keep him away from its employees and business dealings.
Court documents filed in Nashville this week offer the first indication of discord within the estate of the beloved entertainer. The filings state that Bryan Seaver, who owned a company that provided Parton's security and was chosen by the star to announce her death last month, sent increasingly threatening messages over recent weeks.
She's Alive, the entity that manages and protects Parton's professional property and business, terminated Seaver and his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services, last week. According to court documents, his conduct made their continued association untenable.
Court documents include a series of text messages and emails that She's Alive claims were sent by Seaver starting shortly before Parton's death. Initially, the messages contained threats to ruin the brand, and after her passing, Seaver reportedly reveled in newfound attention, calling himself an "international arms dealer."
In a message dated Sept. 1, Seaver allegedly wrote: "I’m going to set up a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly’s brand partnerships and telling the violations these people have done on us. It’s going to be great. Or f——— pay me."
The complaint also states Seaver claimed experience working for private military contractors overseas during the Iraq War and used this in his threats.
According to the court documents, the messages have led to the resignation of Parton’s trusts and estates attorney and employees of She's Alive. The entity has also reportedly hired private security for its employees, including at their homes.
The restraining order seeks to prevent Seaver from contacting or approaching employees, attorneys, and business partners of She's Alive within 1,000 feet (304.8 meters). It also aims to prohibit him from interfering with the estate's business relationships.
Dolly Parton, known for hundreds of songs including "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," and "I Will Always Love You," achieved more than 100 million worldwide sales and over 1 billion online streams throughout her career.