The estate of Dolly Parton has filed a motion to dismiss its lawsuit against Bryan Seaver, the former head of security for the late country music icon. The legal action was originally brought after allegations emerged that Seaver threatened to commit acts of violence and damage Parton's public brand.
Specific details regarding the resolution of the case were not immediately available. However, attorneys representing Seaver issued a statement to CBS News expressing their client's gratitude. They noted that Seaver is pleased to move past the misunderstanding, allowing the family to grieve peacefully and ensuring that the legacy of Dolly Parton remains intact.
Seaver, who leads the private security firm Squadron Augmented Protection Services, was responsible for announcing Parton's death in August. Parton passed away from cancer at the age of 80. Seaver gained national attention when he shared a prerecorded video announcing the news, stating that fulfilling this task was something Parton had asked of him years before she fully understood it as a future reality.
Tensions escalated in September when She's Alive, the company that manages Parton's estate and business interests, fired both Seaver and his security firm. Danny Nozell, Parton's longtime manager and the head of She's Alive, subsequently filed a lawsuit against Seaver and his company.
In its initial request for a restraining order, She's Alive alleged that Seaver made repeated written threats against Parton's staff, partners, and legal advisors. The company claimed he sought to extract money from the estate and trusts through a deliberate and escalating campaign of threats. Many of these alleged threats were sent via text message.
One specific incident cited in the lawsuit involved a disagreement regarding Dollywood, the theme park and resort opened by Parton in 1986. She's Alive alleged that Seaver threatened to destroy the entire brand over this issue. The lawsuit further described Seaver's security business as a heavily armed, paramilitary-style force capable of projecting threat and coercion against the estate's personnel.
In a response to a motion to extend the restraining order last month, Seaver denied every allegation. He described his relationship with Nozell as a close friendship that had endured for many years. He stated that the two had never had a significant argument, except for a minor disagreement over a company logo years prior to his firing.
Seaver admitted to using blunt and coarse language but denied threatening anyone, including Parton or her business partners. He characterized the text messages as private communications between two friends who were frustrated and grieving while discussing strategy. Regarding the Dollywood comments, he insisted he was privately warning Nozell that certain associates were harming the brand and urging him to help.
Seaver also noted that Nozell did not respond to the cited texts with alarm or pushback. In fact, Seaver claimed Nozell had encouraged him to highlight his military and security history publicly before those ties were later used as evidence of his dangerousness. Seaver concluded his affidavit by stating he cared deeply for Parton's legacy and did not want the dispute to harm it.
