Dolly Parton's Nephew Fires Back at Manager Amid Estate Dispute

Dolly Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, has vehemently responded to her manager, Danny Nozell, amid an escalating legal dispute over the country music icon's estate. Nozell, who managed Parton for over two decades, filed a temporary restraining order against Seaver, who had served as Parton's security chief and was entrusted to announce her death.

In legal documents, Nozell alleged that Seaver demanded money and invoked his experience as a military contractor, mentioning weapons and his capacity for violence. Nozell claimed Seaver referred to himself as a "killer" and stated, "All I do is warfare…everyone needs to be worried about what I might do."

Seaver, however, has characterized the restraining order as "spurious" and a "publicity stunt." He told People magazine that Parton herself used to call him "killer" as a nickname within their close circle, explaining, "It was a joke we used around her camp. I was her 'baby boy ninja' and Danny Nozell took that text out of context to somehow imagine that I was threatening him. He’s always called me The Killer."

Nozell filed the restraining order on behalf of Parton's company, She’s Alive, LLC, and revealed that Seaver had been terminated from his security role on September 15. According to documents reviewed by TMZ, Seaver allegedly told Nozell, "Her money better be bigger than I can make elsewhere or I'm going to f*** everyone. I am about to become the hand of retribution for my entire family."

Further communications cited in the filing included Seaver's statement to Nozell: "All I do is warfare … everyone needs to be worried about what I might do." Seaver also reportedly told Nozell he planned to "set up a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly's brand partnership and telling the violations these people have done on us."

Nozell requested that the court order Seaver to maintain a distance of at least 1,000 feet from Parton's office and to cease contact with her businesses and affiliates.

Responding to the allegations, Seaver told TMZ, "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. However, nothing in this lawsuit were threats and most of the comments I stand by." He asserted that the messages were taken out of context and represented frank conversations between friends grieving Parton's death.

Seaver also addressed a remark about "rat f***ing" an organization, explaining it referred to individuals who had wronged Parton in business dealings. "Those comments were about specific, horrible business partners that have done wrong to her and I stand by that," he stated.

Last week, Seaver and his security organizations, which protected Parton's Nashville home, museum, and a warehouse, received notice of their termination. Insiders suggested Nozell and Pinnacle Bank were behind the decision. A new security team has since been deployed to these locations.

Sources close to Seaver expressed dismay over the actions following Parton's passing, stating, "We remain unshakably resolved to fulfill her final directive to protect her family, and we refuse to be intimidated by those whose actions we believe are being taken in bad faith." Seaver's camp believes these actions are intended to "profit from the life of someone who willingly gave so much."

According to TMZ, the notice to Seaver indicated that the DP Dean Trust is overseeing Parton's business and properties post-mortem. Seaver reportedly retains a personal interest in her trust.

Seaver, whose mother is Parton's sister, was appointed by the late singer to publicly announce her death. In a video released after Parton's passing on August 25, Seaver shared the news, reflecting on her impactful life and legacy. He mentioned that his father had previously held the security role and that he had served as Parton's head of security for two decades, having worked with her for four decades in various capacities.

Parton was recently honored with a tribute at the Primetime Emmy Awards and Nashville International Airport is slated to be renamed in her memory.