Dolly Parton's Estate Moves to Dismiss Lawsuit Against Nephew, Who Denies Threat Allegations
The estate of the late country music star Dolly Parton has moved to dismiss its lawsuit against her nephew and former security guard, Bryan Seaver. The notice was filed on Thursday in Tennessee state court.
She's Alive LLC, the company overseeing Parton's professional assets, requested the voluntary dismissal of its lawsuit against Seaver and his security company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services. The filing states the dismissal is 'without prejudice', meaning the claims could potentially be brought again.
Seaver and Parton's estate have been reached for comment.
The move came three days after Seaver and his company filed an 18-page response denying allegations that he had threatened and intimidated people associated with Parton's estate.
The estate filed its lawsuit in September, accusing Seaver of making threats and creating a 'culture of fear' following Parton's death in August.
In his response, Seaver denied engaging in an 'escalating campaign of intimidation' and argued that private messages cited in the lawsuit had been taken out of context.
Seaver also disputed allegations that he tried to obtain money through intimidation. He said his security company had been owed approximately $251,000 for services already provided and that the amount had since been paid.
In September, Parton's estate was granted a temporary restraining order against Seaver and his company after a judge found a 'present and continuing disruption and threat' to She's Alive.
The following month, the estate alleged in an October 5 court filing that Seaver had attempted to evade being served with the lawsuit, claiming his residence had a 'no-trespassing sign in the front yard and barbed wire draped across the handrails leading to the front door'. At the time, Seaver said the restraining order prevented him from speaking publicly about the case.
Parton died in August after what her family described as a 'brief battle with cancer'. Seaver, who provided security services to his aunt for approximately two decades, announced her death in a video statement shared on social media.
