Estate Files Motion to Drop Suit Against Former Security Head

The estate of Dolly Parton has filed a motion to dismiss its lawsuit against Bryan Seaver. Seaver served as the former head of security for the late country music star. The legal action was initiated after claims surfaced that Seaver threatened violence against the estate's team. The filing seeks to resolve the dispute between the two parties.

Seaver leads Squadron Augmented Protection Services, a private security firm. He was responsible for publicly announcing Parton's death in August. Parton died of cancer at the age of 80. He shared a prerecorded video with the news. In the recording, he stated that Parton had asked him to handle this task years before she fully grasped the reality of her condition.

Tensions rose in September when She's Alive, the company managing Parton's business interests, fired Seaver and his firm. Danny Nozell, Parton's longtime manager and the head of She's Alive, then filed the lawsuit. The complaint alleged that Seaver made repeated written threats against staff, partners, and legal advisors. The estate claimed he sought to extract money from the estate and trusts through a campaign of threats, many sent via text message.

One specific incident involved Dollywood, the theme park and resort Parton opened in 1986. She's Alive alleged that Seaver threatened to destroy the brand over a disagreement regarding the park. The lawsuit described his security business as a heavily armed, paramilitary-style force capable of projecting threat against estate personnel.

Seaver denied every allegation in a response filed last month. He described his relationship with Nozell as a close friendship that lasted for many years. He stated that the two had never had a major argument, aside from a minor disagreement over a company logo years before his firing. He admitted to using blunt language but denied threatening anyone, including Parton or her business partners.

Seaver 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. He noted that Nozell did not respond to the cited texts with alarm or pushback. Seaver also claimed that Nozell had encouraged him to highlight his military history publicly before those ties were used as evidence of his dangerousness.

Attorneys for Seaver issued a statement expressing their client's gratitude. They noted that Seaver is pleased to move past the misunderstanding. This allows the family to grieve peacefully and ensures the legacy of Dolly Parton remains intact. The estate has not yet provided specific details regarding the resolution of the case.