Dolly Parton’s nephew allegedly using barbed wire to avoid legal summons from her estate
Updated . First published
Dolly Parton’s estate is embroiled in a messy legal battle with the late country singer’s nephew, Bryan Seaver, who has now allegedly used barbed wire to avoid being served court summons.
Seaver has allegedly been attempting “to evade service of process” by She’s Alive, the company Parton set up to protect her interests after her death.
Dolly Parton’s nephew Bryan Seaver announced her death in August. Instagram
According to documents obtained by People, She’s Alive has attempted to serve the summons on three separate occasions.
On one occasion, there were four cars in Seaver’s driveway but no one answered the door.
On a subsequent attempt, “Seaver’s residence had a no-trespassing sign in the front yard and barbed wire draped across the handrails leading to the front door”.
Seaver has claimed he’s been unable to find legal representation and has asked the court to delay a hearing scheduled for Friday, October 9.
She’s Alive told the court to treat his claims with “considerable scepticism”.
“He waited until the last moment to take any action, and the court should not reward that behaviour ... Seaver already has lawyers who appear to be anxious to represent him,” the filing read.
Elsewhere in the documents was a copy of an expletive-laden email Seaver allegedly sent to an unknown recipient just four days before Parton died.
“If you think my harsh language is too much for you or your failing vendors to digest, just wait until my lawyers start f--king you up the ass,” it read.
“I challenge you to bring spurious and feeble complaints. Let’s play ball you f--king s--tbag loser. Why is your side of this project continually f--ked up and behind the curve?”
Dolly Parton died on August 25, surrounded by family. It was her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who was tasked with sharing the news with the world. Getty
Seaver was fired from his long-held position as the music legend’s head of security last month after allegedly threatening to “destroy” Parton’s legacy and making repeated violent threats toward staff.
She’s Alive alleged Seaver “began his campaign of threats, intimidation, and coercion” several weeks before Parton’s death.
“In writing, he vowed to ‘destroy the entire brand’ and also told her entertainment attorney: ‘I’m not an entertainment person. I’m a killer,’” one filing read.
The files claim Seaver’s alleged behaviour led to his dismissal, and he was served a temporary restraining order and a lawsuit by She’s Alive on September 23, almost a month to the day after Parton’s death in August.
Parton’s fortune is estimated to be wroth $US450 million ($600 million). Getty Images
He has denied all the allegations against him and called the legal action against him a “publicity stunt”.
“I was fired. After the estate negotiated with me and my company for services in perpetuity and agreed to that service provision from my company,” he said in a statement shared with US ABC News.
“A week later they fired me for these contrived ‘threats.’”
Nine.com.au is not suggesting any wrongdoing has occurred and has contacted Parton’s long-time manager, Danny Nozell, and Seaver for comment.
