Dolly Parton’s Nephew Requests Delay In Restraining Order Hearing
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Dolly Parton’s Nephew Fired As Head Of Security
Just weeks after Dolly Parton’s death, her nephew, Bryan Seaver, was reportedly fired as the country music icon’s longtime head of security.
According to TMZ, Bryan, who served as Dolly’s head of security for more than two decades, received a termination notice dated Sept. 16. The letter allegedly notified Bryan and his company that they were dismissed from providing security at his aunt’s properties, with the termination taking effect immediately.
Legal documents obtained by PEOPLE revealed that She’s Alive, LLC, a company formed by Dolly to protect her estate following her death, filed a lawsuit against Bryan.
The suit claimed that he became “emboldened” following her death, which led to his termination. In addition to the lawsuit, the company filed a restraining order against him on Sept. 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.
The outlet reported that Dolly’s nephew made “threats of real-world violence” using his prior service as a military contractor as leverage. Bryan’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. “Without relief, Defendants’ calculated campaign will continue to inflict fear, to destabilize SAL’s operations, and to cause further irreparable harm.”
Bryan, the son of Dolly’s sister Cassie, spent more than 20 years serving as the country music icon’s head of security. He was also the family member who publicly announced Dolly’s death in a video statement on Aug. 25.
Now, according to the Associated Press, Bryan has filed a motion in a Tennessee court seeking to postpone an upcoming hearing pertaining to the restraining order. He is reportedly requesting the delay in order to secure legal representation.
Representing himself, Bryan allegedly filed the motion Friday (Oct. 2), requesting that the Oct. 9 hearing be postponed by roughly 10 days to give him additional time.
“The defendants lack any legal knowledge or skills to proceed in this matter without retained counsel or what, if any, challenges can or should be raised,” Bryan’s new motion states, per the outlet.
Bryan said the delay is necessary because the attorney he hopes to hire cannot meet with him until Monday. He says he would not oppose extending the temporary restraining order until the matter can be heard on a new date.
The motion is now awaiting a decision from Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles, who is presiding over the case.
