Dolly Parton Estate Files Restraining Order Against Nephew Over Alleged Threats

Tennessee Court Considers Restraining Order Against Seaver

The Chancery Court in Nashville is reviewing a restraining order filing brought by the estate of Dolly Parton. According to Billboard, the legal action names Seaver—who is the son of Parton’s sister Cassie and previously served as the country star’s head of security—following a series of alleged hostile communications.

Parton’s estate is currently run by her manager, Danny Nozell. Court documents state that Seaver’s security contract was terminated on September 15. A leaked termination letter indicated the decision was made “for the protection of the trust and beneficiaries as a whole,” while also noting it was “not a termination of your personal interest in the trust.”

Allegations and Workplace Safety Concerns

The legal filing states: “These were not ordinary workplace disputes or heated words; they were deliberate threats from a self-proclaimed heavily armed, former security operative with a military-contractor background.”

Billboard reported that the filing adds: “Many of [Parton’s staff members] are now afraid to come to work or have resigned entirely because they do not feel safe.” The court documents allege that Seaver wrote to a lawyer for Parton, stating, “I’m a killer,” and separately told Nozell, “I’m literally an international arms dealer and mercenary. All I do is warfare. Everyone needs to be worried about what I might do.” Additional claims in the lawsuit allege Seaver stated he made a $27m arms and ammunition deal with Haiti, and threatened to “set up a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly’s brand partnerships… Or fucking pay me.”

Seaver Denies Threats and Defends Comments

Seaver has denied making threats while speaking to TMZ, acknowledging certain statements while offering context for the communications. “I 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,” Seaver told TMZ. “However, nothing in this lawsuit were threats and most of the comments I stand by.”

Regarding the messages sent to Nozell, Seaver told TMZ: “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.”

Addressing another reported message where he stated he would “spend the next times I have on earth ratfucking anyone that has ever betrayed my family,” Seaver clarified to TMZ: “I was talking about people that have done bad to Dolly in business – a specific company that scared her and intimated her. Those comments were about specific, horrible business partners that have done wrong to her and I stand by that.”

Following his termination, Seaver released a statement saying: “We remain unshakably resolved to fulfil her final directive to protect her family, and we refuse to be intimidated by those whose actions we believe are being taken in bad faith and with the intent to profit from the life of someone who willingly gave so much.”

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