Tennessee judge dismisses Dolly Parton manager's case against her nephew and former head of security

What happened

A Tennessee judge on Monday dismissed a case that Dolly Parton's longtime manager, Danny Nozell, brought against Parton's nephew and former head of security, Bryan Seaver, PBS NewsHour reported in an Associated Press story. Chancellor I'Ashea L. Myles entered the order without prejudice, which means the case can be filed again.

According to PBS, Nozell asked for the dismissal on Thursday after the two sides reached an agreement. The parties had been scheduled to argue the claims in public on Tuesday.

Who is involved

The manager and She's Alive

Nozell runs She's Alive, which manages Parton's estate and business interests, CBS News reported. In September, She's Alive fired Seaver and his private security firm, Squadron Augmented Protection Services. Nozell then sought a restraining order against both.

PBS reported that Nozell obtained a temporary restraining order in September. He wanted to turn it into a permanent injunction.

The nephew

According to PBS, Parton handpicked Seaver to announce her death. CBS reported that he gained national attention when he made the announcement in a prerecorded video. In it, he said the task was "something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality." CBS reported that Parton died of cancer at 80, and PBS gave the date of her death as Aug. 25.

What the estate alleged

In its request for a restraining order, She's Alive alleged that Seaver "made repeated, written threats to Ms. Parton's staff, partners, legal and business advisors, and others," according to CBS News. CBS reported that the filing also accused him of trying to get money from the company and trusts through an escalating campaign of threats. It said many of the alleged threats were sent by text.

One allegation dates from before Parton's death. CBS reported that the filing said Seaver threatened to "destroy the entire brand" during a disagreement involving Dollywood, the theme park and resort Parton opened in 1986. The complaint also described his security company as a "heavily armed, paramilitary-style force capable of projecting threat and coercion against SAL's personnel and business partners."

Seaver's response

Denials in court

Last month the estate asked to extend the restraining order. In his response, Seaver denied "each and every allegation," CBS reported. He admitted using coarse and blunt language but said he threatened no one, describing the texts as private messages between himself and Nozell.

Seaver said the two had been close friends for many years. In court filings cited by PBS, he called the texts a "private conversation between two friends who were both frustrated, grieving and discussing strategy." According to CBS, he also said Nozell never pushed back on the messages. He further claimed Nozell had urged him to publicly highlight his military and security background.

Statement after the dismissal

Seaver's lawyers said in a statement Monday that he "cares deeply about his Aunt Dolly, her music, her family, and the legacy she left behind," PBS reported. The statement, which was also given to CBS, said Seaver was grateful to put "this misunderstanding behind him."

CBS reported that attorneys for Parton's estate did not respond to a request for comment. PBS said it emailed lawyers for Nozell and She's Alive seeking details and comment.

Why it matters

PBS described the dismissal as a sudden and quiet end to a serious rift in Parton's inner circle. The dispute began while she was sick with cancer and became public in the weeks after her death. PBS also reported that Parton left behind a business empire, much of it based in her hometown, that employed many of her close friends and family members.

Neither side nor the court documents have explained why the complaint was withdrawn, PBS reported. One court filing said only that the two sides had reached an agreement.

What to watch next

• Because the case was dismissed without prejudice, it can be filed again, according to PBS and CBS.
• The reason the complaint was withdrawn has not been revealed by either side or in court documents, PBS reported.
• PBS said it emailed lawyers for Nozell and She's Alive seeking details and comment, and CBS said the estate's attorneys had not responded to its request.