Dolly Parton Estate Files Lawsuit Against Her Nephew Following “Threats Of Real World Violence”
on
Less than a month after Dolly Parton died at the age of 80, her estate has filed suit against the late singer’s nephew, Bryan Seaver.
News broke Tuesday morning (September 22) that Bryan Seaver had been terminated as the head of security for Dolly and her estate earlier this month. The reason for the termination wasn’t revealed at the time, but new documents obtained by PEOPLE reveal that there was much more to the story.
Why was Bryan Seaver fired?
According to legal documents obtained by PEOPLE, She’s Alive, LLC, a company formed by Dolly to protect her estate following her death, filed suit against Seaver. The suit claims that he became “emboldened” following the star’s death, which led to his termination.
In addition to the lawsuit, She’s Alive, LLC filed a restraining order against Seaver on September 22.
“Mr. Seaver began his campaign of threats, intimidation, and coercion a few weeks prior to Ms. Parton’s passing…. In writing, he vowed to ‘destroy the entire brand’ and also told her entertainment attorney: ‘I’m not an entertainment person. I’m a killer,’” part of the filing claims, PEOPLE reports.
In addition, the filings allege that Seaver threatened to “inflict reputational and economic harm” on the individuals chosen to protect Dolly’s brand. He intended to start a podcast devoted to “ruining her brand partnerships unless he was paid.”
RELATED: DOLLYWOOD REVEALS PLAN TO HONOR DOLLY PARTON’S LIFE & LEGACY
PEOPLE reports that Dolly’s nephew made “threats of real-world violence” to staff members, partners, legal and business advisors, using his prior service as a military contractor as leverage. Seaver’s behavior is what ultimately led to his termination, the filing claims.
“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,” PEOPLE shared from one of the filings. “Without relief, Defendants’ calculated campaign will continue to inflict fear, to destabilize SAL’s operations, and to cause further irreparable harm.”
Who is Bryan Seaver?
Seaver, who is the son of Dolly’s sister Cassie, served as the “Jolene” singer’s head of security for more than two decades. He was also the family member who announced to the world that Dolly had passed away in a video statement shared on August 25.
Seaver is the CEO of Squadron Augmented Protection Services and took over as head of security for Dolly following his father, Larry Seaver’s, exit from the role.
