Dolly Parton’s estate has filed a lawsuit against her nephew Bryan Seaver, accusing him of making violent threats against people associated with the late singer’s estate and attempting to damage her business legacy.
Seaver, who worked as Parton’s head of security for nearly two decades, was recently dismissed from his position following her death on August 25, 2026. Parton’s manager, Danny Nozell, filed the lawsuit on behalf of She’s Alive, LLC, the entity responsible for protecting and managing aspects of the singer’s legacy.
According to court documents obtained by Entertainment Weekly, the estate claims Seaver’s alleged threats began several weeks before Parton’s death and continued afterwards. The filing accuses him of threatening estate personnel, legal representatives and business partners, while allegedly vowing to “destroy the entire brand”.
The estate also alleges that Seaver referred to himself as an “international arms dealer and mercenary” and invoked his background as a military contractor while making the alleged threats. One message cited in the filing allegedly included the statement, “I’m not an entertainment person. I’m a killer.”
The legal documents claim that some people connected to Parton’s estate resigned because of the alleged conduct, while the singer’s trusts and estates attorney withdrew after allegedly being targeted. Other individuals associated with the estate have reportedly hired private security as a result of the situation.
The estate sought a temporary restraining order against Seaver, which was granted on Tuesday, September 22. The order restricts Seaver from contacting or approaching certain employees, attorneys and business partners and from interfering with the estate’s business relationships.
Seaver has disputed the characterisation of his messages as threats. Speaking to TMZ, he said his comments had been taken out of context and maintained that he was speaking privately with Nozell, whom he considered a friend. He described the conversations as two people grieving and engaging in what he called “rage talk”.
Seaver is the son of Parton’s sister Cassie and had provided security services for the singer’s properties for nearly 20 years. His father, Larry Seaver, previously held a similar security role for Parton.
Seaver was also the family member who publicly announced Parton’s death in August. At the time, he said Parton had asked him years earlier to make the announcement when the time came.
The latest lawsuit follows his dismissal from the estate earlier this month. The legal dispute now places the future management and protection of Parton’s business interests under increased scrutiny as her estate continues handling her legacy following her death at 80.
