Dolly Parton's Estate Manager Drops Lawsuit Against Nephew

Danny Nozzle, the manager of Dolly Parton’s estate, filed a motion in Tennessee court on Thursday to drop his lawsuit against the late singer’s nephew. The legal action had accused Bryan Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security, of threatening the estate and its staff. Nozzle, who operates the entity She’s Alive, had previously sought a permanent injunction to block Seaver from interfering with the estate's operations.

The conflict became public shortly after Parton died on August 25. In early September, She’s Alive fired Seaver and his security firm, Squadron Augmented Protection Services. The following week, Nozzle petitioned for a temporary restraining order, claiming Seaver’s behavior made it impossible to keep him on staff. The petition stated that Seaver targeted the company’s personnel, lawyers, and partners with threats. It noted that in writing, he vowed to destroy the entire brand and described himself as an international arms dealer and mercenary.

Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles granted the temporary order in September. She pointed to Seaver’s claimed access to weapons and his stated intention to retaliate as reasons for the protection. Nozzle used this order as a foundation to seek a permanent ban on Seaver’s involvement with the estate.

The court’s first hearing on the permanent injunction was scheduled for Tuesday but had been postponed several times during the previous month. On Wednesday, a day before the withdrawal motion, a court filing indicated that the two sides had reached an agreement, though it did not specify the terms. The brief filing submitted Thursday offered no explanation for the dismissal. It stated only that a proposed order was being prepared for the judge’s approval to dismiss the case without prejudice, which allows the claim to be filed again in the future.

Seaver has disputed the characterization of his actions. In court documents, he described Nozzle as a close friend and ally before the restraining order was issued. He argued that the text messages Nozzle presented as evidence were part of a private conversation between two friends who were grieving and discussing strategy. Seaver stated in an affidavit that he had never threatened physical harm to Nozzle, any She’s Alive employee, contractor, attorney, advisor, or business partner, or anyone else associated with the company.

The Associated Press sent emails to lawyers representing She’s Alive, Seaver, and his company to seek comment on the withdrawal. The estate continues to manage Parton’s legacy through the She’s Alive entity, while the legal dispute over Seaver’s role now moves toward a formal dismissal by the court.