Dolly Parton estate manager drops lawsuit against late singer's former head of security
The legal action, which sought a permanent injunction following the singer's death in August, is being dismissed without prejudice.
By Alyssa Parker ·
Danny Nozell, the manager of Dolly Parton's estate, filed documents in Tennessee courts on Thursday to withdraw a complaint against Bryan Seaver. The lawsuit had accused Seaver, who served as the late singer's head of security, of threatening the estate and its staff. Nozell, who leads the entity She's Alive, is seeking to end the case that began with a temporary restraining order secured in September.
The filing does not state why the complaint is being dropped. It notes only that a proposed order is being drafted for the judge's approval to dismiss the case without prejudice. This legal status allows the matter to be refiled later. A court document submitted the previous day indicated that the two sides had reached an agreement, though it provided no specific details about the terms.
The initial public hearing for the dispute was scheduled for Tuesday. That hearing had been postponed multiple times over the course of a month. The Associated Press sent emails seeking comment from lawyers representing She's Alive, Seaver, and his security firm, Squadron Augmented Protection Services.
The litigation revealed a sharp division within Parton's inner circle that became public in the weeks following her death on Aug. 25. She's Alive terminated Seaver and his company in early September. The following week, the estate petitioned for the restraining order. The petition argued that Seaver's conduct made his continued retention untenable.
The estate alleged that Seaver made threats against personnel, counsel, and business partners starting shortly before Parton's death and continuing afterward. The filing claimed he vowed in writing to destroy the entire brand. It also cited his description of himself as an international arms dealer and mercenary. Chancellor I'Ashea L. Myles granted the temporary order by citing Seaver's claimed access to weapons and intention to retaliate.
Seaver disputed the characterization of their relationship. In court filings, he stated that he considered Nozell a close friend and ally before the restraining order was obtained. In an affidavit, Seaver described the text messages used as evidence as a private conversation between two friends who were frustrated and grieving. He maintained that he had never threatened physical harm to Nozell or any other individual associated with She's Alive.
