Dolly Parton’s nephew removed from longtime security post amid estate war

“We remain unshakably resolved to fulfill [Parton’s] final directive to protect her family,” Bryan Seaver and his team said in response to the termination
Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver was stripped of his role as her estate’s protector (X/@DollyParton and Beth Gwinn/Getty Images)
Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver was stripped of his role as her estate’s protector (X/@DollyParton and Beth Gwinn/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dolly Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, is no longer serving as head of security for her properties after being removed from his longtime post.

For more than 20 years, Seaver had served as the head of security for Parton’s properties, including her Nashville home, museum, downtown residence and warehouse. He was removed from the role following her death, according to TMZ.

Dolly Parton's nephew vows to fight the termination decision

The publication reported that last week, Seaver and his team received the termination letter and a new security team has taken over the role.

Bryan and his team are now calling out Dolly’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell, and Pinnacle Bank, saying they are “dismayed by the unexpected and, so far, unexplained actions.”

“We remain unshakably resolved to fulfill [Parton’s] 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,” they added.

FILE - Dolly Parton poses for a photo at her office in Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 11, 2005. (AP Photo/John Russell, File)
Dolly Parton poses for a photo at her office in Nashville, Tenn., Aug. 11, 2005 (AP Photo/John Russell, File)

The latest development, however, does not strip Seaver of his personal interest in his late aunt’s trust, which includes her business interests and properties.

Dolly Parton’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death on family's behalf

This came almost a month after Seaver, the son of Parton’s sister Cassie, announced her death on August 25 in a social media video.



“I am representing the Parton and Owens family today, announcing the passing of my Aunt Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean. Sister, Sis and Aunt Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he said at the time.

“As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now. It is an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly,” he had shared.

Further into his statement, Seaver noted that because of Parton “we believed that anything was possible.”

PIGEON FORGE, TN - 1993:  American singer and songwriter Dolly Parton rides on a carriage at Dollywood Theme Park circa 1993 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  (Photo by Ron Davis/Getty Images)
American singer and songwriter Dolly Parton rides on a carriage at Dollywood Theme Park circa 1993 (Ron Davis/Getty Images)

“She never saw a door she couldn’t open and the doors she opened made and changed history. My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you,” he had added.

Parton died after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 80. However, she kept her health issues private as she did not want to worry her fans.

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