Dolly Parton's nephew Bryan Seaver has been hit with a temporary restraining order after court filings accused him of making violent threats, attempting to pressure those managing the business over money, and threatening to damage the late country star's brand.
The legal action marks a new escalation in the dispute surrounding Parton's estate less than a month after her death.
According to court documents, Seaver allegedly launched a campaign of 'threats, intimidation, and coercion' involving people responsible for managing her business interests.
Bryan Seaver Faces Restraining Order
She's Alive, LLC, the entity Parton's designed to protect her legacy after her death, filed a lawsuit against Seaver on Tuesday, 22 September. A temporary restraining order was granted the same day, according to PEOPLE.
The filing alleges Seaver threatened to interfere with Parton's business interests and sought to pressure those managing them.
One filing claims he vowed to 'destroy the entire brand' and allegedly told Parton's entertainment attorney: 'I'm not an entertainment person. I'm a killer.'
The lawsuit also seeks to prevent Seaver from interfering with Parton's business and contacting relevant employees and partners. The filing asks him to remain 1,000 feet from the offices.
What the Estate Alleges
The court filings accuse Seaver of making what the estate describes as 'threats of real-world violence' while allegedly invoking his background as a military contractor.
Among the messages cited by TMZ was: '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.'
Another alleged message referred to a proposed podcast, with Seaver reportedly writing: 'I'm going to set up a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly's brand partnership.'
The estate also claims he threatened to 'inflict reputational and economic harm' on people involved in protecting Parton's brand. These remain allegations made in the legal proceedings and have not been established as facts.
Seaver Denies Making Threats
Seaver has disputed the allegations and said the messages were taken out of context.
'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,' he said.
However, Seaver insisted: 'Nothing in this lawsuit were threats and most of the comments I stand by.'
He described the exchanges with Parton's longtime manager Danny Nozell as private conversations between people grieving her death, saying: 'A lot of these messages are two guys having rage talk and crying on the phone together while we were grieving.'
Seaver's Longstanding Role With Parton
Seaver, the son of Parton's sister Cassie, served as her head of security for more than 20 years after taking over the position from his father, Larry Seaver. He was terminated from the role on 15 September.
Following the termination, Seaver and members of his security team said they were 'dismayed' by what they described as the 'unexpected' and 'unexplained' move.
They also criticised longtime manager Nozell and Pinnacle Bank while saying they remained committed to protecting Parton's family.
View this post on Instagram
Seaver also announced Parton's death on social media on 25 August at the age of 80, after what was reported as a short battle with cancer, explaining that she had asked him years earlier to announce her death if the time came.
The dispute now places a longtime member of Parton's family and security team at the centre of a legal battle over the management of her legacy and business interests.
