Dolly Parton’s Manager Files Restraining Order Against Her Nephew

A contentious conflict regarding Dolly Parton’s legacy shifted dramatically on Tuesday when her longtime manager, Danny Nozell, sought a restraining order against her nephew, Bryan Seaver.

Nozell, who manages She’s Alive, LLC—an organization that Parton established to manage her business affairs—filed the order in Nashville, as reported by the Associated Press. Seaver was chosen by Parton to publicly announce her passing, which occurred on August 25.

Just weeks later, what seemed like a behind-the-scenes dispute escalated into a legal confrontation.

Dolly Parton’s Journey Through Life: From Humble Beginnings to a Country Music Legend

Nozell and She’s Alive accused Seaver of sending increasingly hostile messages leading up to the request for a temporary restraining order. The company terminated Seaver’s employment due to what they described as “terrorizing conduct.”

Court documents reveal threatening text messages and emails allegedly sent by Seaver.

Initially, the messages included threats to undermine the brand. After Parton’s death, Seaver supposedly took pleasure in his new notoriety, even referring to himself as an “international arms dealer.”

In one particularly alarming message dated September 1, Seaver stated, “I’m going to set up a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly’s brand partnerships and telling the violations these people have done on us. It’s going to be great. Or f—ing pay me.”

These messages reportedly alarmed those within Parton’s business community, prompting several employees to resign and her trusts and estates attorney to step back. To ensure safety, She’s Alive hired private security to protect employees both at their workplaces and at home.

Seaver was let go on September 15, and the court was asked to prohibit him from contacting or approaching any employees, attorneys, or business partners within a 1,000-foot radius.

Seaver countered the allegations in a statement he shared, asserting, “I am a career soldier and military contractor who does 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.”

He argued that the messages were being misinterpreted, suggesting they were taken out of context to sound threatening.

Seaver elaborated, “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.”

Fox News Digital has reached out for comments from both Nozell and Seaver.