Dolly Parton’s sister says there is no family ‘feud’ after nephew was fired

Dolly Parton’s sister Freida has said there is no “feud” within the family after the late singer’s estate filed a temporary restraining order against her nephew, Bryan Seaver.

Mr Seaver, who is the son of Parton’s other sister Cassie, served as her long-time head of security and also made the video announcement confirming her death.

In the temporary restraining order request by She’s Alive, the company that manages Parton’s business interests, it claims Mr Seaver sent threatening messages over several weeks.

She’s Alive is run by Danny Nozell, Parton’s long-time manager.

Freida shared a statement addressing the dispute, writing: “I’ll say this and this only: there is no feud within our family.

“No-one among the Parton/Owens family is fighting over Dolly’s estate. We all love Bryan, just as we all love each other. I love you all!!”

She’s Alive terminated Mr Seaver and Squadron Augmented Protection Services last week, saying his “terrorising conduct made their continued retention untenable”, according to court documents seen by the Associated Press.

Mr Seaver told ABC News: “The restraining order is spurious and simply a publicity stunt.”

He added: “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.

“A week later they fired me for these contrived ‘threats’.”

Parton, known for hits including 9 to 5, Jolene and I Will Always Love You, died last month aged 80 after suffering from cancer.

She had asked Mr Seaver to be the person who would announce her death when the time came.

Published: 24/09/2026 by Radio NewsHub