Manager drops legal fight with Dolly Parton's nephew over estate threats

The legal dispute between the management of Dolly Parton's estate and her former head of security is ending without a final ruling. Danny Nozell, who operates the entity She's Alive, filed a motion in Tennessee court on Thursday to drop his complaint against Bryan Seaver.

Nozell had originally filed for a temporary restraining order in September. That order barred Seaver and his firm, Squadron Augmented Protection Services, from certain actions. The manager was seeking to convert that temporary protection into a permanent injunction. A filing dated Wednesday indicated that the two sides reached an agreement, though it did not specify the terms.

The Thursday filing is brief and does not list a reason for the withdrawal. It states that a proposed order is being drafted for the judge's approval. The dismissal is without prejudice, which allows the case to be filed again in the future.

The conflict emerged in the weeks following Parton's death on August 25. She's Alive terminated Seaver and his company in early September. The following week, the entity petitioned for the restraining order, claiming that Seaver's conduct made his continued retention untenable. The petition alleged that Seaver made threats against personnel, counsel, and business partners. It noted that in writing, he vowed to destroy the entire brand.

Chancellor I'Ashea L. Myles granted the temporary order, citing Seaver's claimed access to weapons and his intention to retaliate. In court filings, Seaver described Nozell as a close friend and ally before the legal action began. An affidavit from Seaver characterized the text messages cited as evidence as a private conversation between two friends who were frustrated and grieving. He stated he had never threatened physical harm to anyone associated with She's Alive.

The Associated Press sent emails seeking comment from lawyers for She's Alive, Seaver, and his company. The first public hearing on the matter had been scheduled for Tuesday. That hearing was pushed several times over the course of a month.

Nozell runs She's Alive, which was founded to manage and protect Parton's estate. The entity argued that Seaver aimed threats directly at its staff. Seaver called himself an international arms dealer and mercenary in the filings, stating that everyone needed to be worried about what he might do.