Topline
Dolly Parton’s estate filed a lawsuit against the late musician’s nephew Bryan Seaver, who served as her head of security, seeking a restraining order against him and accusing him of mounting a campaign of threats just a week after he was fired by the estate.
Dolly Parton died at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer.
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Key Facts
The case was filed on Tuesday in the Davidson County Chancery Court in Tennessee by Parton’s Estate, She’s Alive LLC, by the late singer’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell.
According to multiple reports, the suit alleges that Seaver has engaged in an “obscene, deliberate and escalating campaign of threats” to seek money from the estate.
The filing includes threatening text messages allegedly sent by Seaver saying that say things like, “I’m not an entertainment person. I’m a killer,” according to TMZ and Variety.
In the other texts, the sender notes he’s an “international arms dealer and mercenary” and threatens to go after anyone “that has ever betrayed my family.”
The restraining order sought by Parton’s estate seeks to restrict Seaver from accessing its properties and staff members and prevent him from contacting anyone doing business with the estate.
Has Seaver Responded To The Lawsuit?
Seaver dismissed the claims that he was making any threats and told TMZ that he was a career soldier and military contractor who has conducted arms deals for foreign governments. “However, nothing in this lawsuit were threats and most of the comments I stand by…A lot of these messages are two guys having rage talk and crying on the phone together while we were grieving.”
What Do We Know About Seaver?
Seaver is the son of Cassie Parton, one of the late singer’s sisters, and he came into the public spotlight last month after he appeared in an Instagram video publicly announcing her death on behalf of the Parton family. In the clip, Seaver said, “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.” Earlier this week, TMZ reported that Seaver had been fired by her estate and he and his security company had been asked to leave the legendary singer’s various properties. Tuesday’s suit claimed that Seaver was fired due to his behavior.
forbes estimate
Before her death, Forbes estimated Parton’s personal fortune was worth approximately $450 million. The legendary musician sold 100 million records, however, most of her wealth came from her stake in her themepark Dollywood in Tennessee.
further reading
Dolly Parton’s Estate in Turmoil After Extortion Accusations (New York Times)
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