Dolly Parton's nephew denies threatening texts were threats

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 03:32 · Archive

Dolly Parton's nephew Bryan Seaver claims text messages cited in a restraining order were private conversations taken out of context, not genuine threats.

Bryan Seaver, 49, Dolly Parton's nephew and head of her security, has filed court documents in Tennessee opposing a temporary restraining order filed against him by She's Alive, an entity run by Parton's longtime manager Danny Nozell and founded to manage Parton's estate. The restraining order, granted last month, accused Seaver of threatening to do violence and destroy Parton's legacy and business empire.

Seaver claims the text messages at the centre of the dispute were sent shortly before and after Parton's death on 25 August and were 'private conversations between two friends who were both frustrated, grieving and discussing strategy'. He acknowledges using profane language but insists he was discussing damaging business relationships and reputations, not physical harm. According to the filing, Seaver said Nozell did not react with alarm to the messages at the time and agreed with or reacted positively to some of them.

Seaver alleges the dispute stemmed partly from an unpaid approximately $251,000 payment owed to his security company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services, for work at Parton's properties. He also claims his complaints about conditions at Parton's SongTeller Hotel, including guards smoking marijuana and sleeping on duty, and construction delays, contributed to the rift. Seaver's court filing includes a November 2024 letter from Parton recommending his company for security work.

How it is being reported

• Dolly Parton's nephew pushes back on restraining order filed against himDolly Parton's nephew disputed a restraining order that was filed against him by her estate, which accused him of threatening to do violence and destroy her legacy and business empire.CBS News · 14 Oct, 03:17
• Dolly Parton’s nephew claims threatening texts were taken out of context amid legal battleParton’s longtime security head says he was protecting her properties and business interests, not threatening them, as he seeks to dismiss the suit.New York Post · 14 Oct, 03:09

In this story: Dolly Parton · Bryan Seaver · Danny Nozell · Squadron Augmented Protection Services · She's Alive · Herschend Family Entertainment · SongTeller Hotel

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem