Dolly Parton estate lawsuit against nephew Bryan Seaver dropped, Digi Mart USA News: Dolly Parton’s estate has dropped its lawsuit against the country icon’s nephew and former head of security, Bryan Seaver, who announced the star’s death in August as per her request.
The estate, which is managed by She’s Alive LLC, filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of its lawsuit against Seaver in a Tennessee court on Thursday, according to multiple US outlets. The dismissal was filed without prejudice, meaning the estate could choose to file the suit again if it wishes.
Seaver had acted as Dolly’s head of security for more than two decades before his role was terminated following her death. The suit being dropped comes after weeks of back and forth between She’s Alive LLC, operated by Parton’s long-time manager Danny Nozell, and Seaver in court.
She’s Alive made a number of accusations about Seaver in its case, including claiming Parton’s former head of security made threats relating to his military background. The estate also alleged that his behavior led to multiple employees resigning.
Following the news that the suit has been dropped, Seaver’s lawyers released a statement to TMZ writing that he is ready to put the “misunderstanding” behind him. “Mr.
Seaver cares deeply about his Aunt Dolly, her music, her family, and the incredible legacy she left behind,” the statement reads. “He has made a career out of protecting his aunt while she was alive and remains committed to Dolly and his entire family.”
The statement continues: “Mr. Seaver is grateful to put this misunderstanding behind him so that the entire family can continue to grieve peacefully and ensure that the bright light of Dolly’s legacy remains entirely untouched.”
Seaver previously denied threatening anyone but admitted to using “profane language” toward Nozell, which he alleges was taken out of context in the court proceeding. He was fired from his long-held position as the music legend’s head of security last month after allegedly threatening to “destroy” Parton’s legacy and making repeated violent threats toward staff.
“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,’” one filing read.
The files claim Seaver’s alleged behavior led to his dismissal, and he was served a temporary restraining order and a lawsuit by She’s Alive on September 23, almost a month to the day after Parton’s death in August.
Seaver has denied all the allegations against him and called the legal action a “publicity stunt.” In a statement shared with US ABC News, he said: “I was fired. After the estate negotiated with me and my company for services in perpetuity and agreed to that service provision from my company,” he said.
“A week later they fired me for these contrived ‘threats.’”
Seaver was the one who announced Parton’s death to the world in a video posted to social media, a request Parton made before her passing. Parton’s estate is estimated to be worth US$450 million (about $600 million).
Digi Mart USA News is not suggesting any wrongdoing has occurred. The publisher reported that it had contacted Nozell and Seaver for comment.
