Dolly Parton’s sister, Freida Parton, shared a statement after her nephew, Bryan Seaver, was fired from the late legend’s head of security after about two decades. He was also issued a restraining order against Dolly Parton’s estate and accused of making violent threats.

Freida Parton, 69, said in a statement she posted on Instagram on Wednesday (September 23): “I’ll say this and this only: there is no feud within our family. No one among the Parton/Owens family is fighting over Dolly’s estate. We all love Bryan, just as we all love each other. I love you all!!”

She’s Alive, LLC (SAL), an entity laid out by Dolly Parton to protect her legacy, filed a lawsuit against Seaver earlier this week. The entity is operated by Dolly Parton’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell, who has not publicly commented on the legal filings or Seaver's following statements. Court documents accuse Seaver of escalating a campaign of threats and intimation against those in charge of Dolly Parton’s estate unless he was paid, beginning weeks before the legend’s death on August 25. The alleged threats prompted some employees to resign or become fearful of returning to work. Seaver received his termination notice on September 16 (which states that his interest in DP Dean Trust remains intact), ending his role after about two decades. Previously, Seaver’s father, Larry Seaver, served as head of security. Seaver’s mother, Cassie Nan Parton, is Dolly Parton’s sister.

“The restraining order is spurious and simply a publicity stunt,” Seaver told ABC News in a statement. “I was fired. After the estate negotiated with me and my company for services in perpetuity and agreed to that service provision from my company. A week later they fired me for these contrived ‘threats.’” Responding to a specific accusation in the suit, Seaver said, “Dolly called me her killer. It was a joke we used around her camp.”

He added, “I've never threatened anyone ... They are my friends and my brothers and colleagues.”

Seaver also told TMZ, am a career soldier and military contractor and do conduct arms deals for foreign governments. I am a security professional and I am a killer. However, nothing in this lawsuit were threats and most of the comments I stand by. I was talking frankly in a private way with Danny who I thought was my friend and he fancies himself a gangster. A lot of these messages are two guys having rage talk and crying on the phone together while we were grieving.”

Dolly Parton “died peacefully” in Nashville, Tennessee, her team confirmed in an official announcement on August 25. She was 80. Seaver also confirmed his aunt’s passing in a video at the icon’s request. Dolly Parton’s representatives said in a statement to PEOPLE hours later, “after bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.” She has since been laid to rest in a private service beside husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025. He was 82.

Dolly Parton was one of 12 children born to Evie Lee Parton and Robert Lee Parton in Sevier County, Tennessee. The siblings also include Willadeene, David, Coy “Denver,” Robert Jr. (“Bobby”), Stella, Cassie, Randy, Larry (who died shortly after his birth in 1955), Floyd, Freida and Rachel. Dolly is preceded in death by siblings Larry, Floyd (who died in 2018 at age 61), Randy (who died in 2021 at age 67), David (who died in 2024 at age 82), and Coy (who died earlier this year at age 82).

The official announcement on August 25 stated that “Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000). …At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.”

Sitemap