Dolly Parton's nephew reportedly fired as head of security amid estate dispute - USA Today

Dolly Parton's nephew Bryan Seaver has reportedly been fired from providing security for his aunt's properties.

Seaver, who previously acted as the late country music icon's head of security and was the one to announce her death at the age of 80 last month, received a termination notice Wednesday, Sept. 16, stating he and his security companies were immediately dismissed, according to TMZ.

The letter reportedly said Parton's properties and business matters are controlled by DP Dean Trust, and clarified that Seaver's personal interest in the trust remains the same. TMZ further reported replacement guards have already taken over both Parton's Nashville homes, her museum and warehouse.

Seaver addressed the situation in a statement to TMZ, saying he and his teams were "dismayed by the unexpected and, so far, unexplained actions" taken by the singer's longtime manager Danny Nozell and Pinnacle Bank, who oversee DP Dean Trust.

The statement said they are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for Parton's legacy, and concluded, "We remain unshakably resolved to fulfill her final directive to protect her family, and we refuse to be intimidated by those whose actions we believe are being taken in bad faith and with the intent to profit from the life of someone who willingly gave so much."

USA TODAY reached out to Bryan Seaver through his security company and Danny Nozell for comment.

Parton died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, where she had been hospitalized four days prior, following a brief battle with an undisclosed type of cancer. Seaver, the son of Parton's sister Cassie, shared the news on behalf of the Parton and Owens families in a video message posted to social media at the time.

"Dolly has lived in the light, and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by [her husband] Carl, her parents, and countless others who have watched her and longed for her to meet them in the heavens," Seaver said in part.

Parton's representatives also reflected on her legacy and her final days in their own statement: “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand."

"Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly's unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact," it continued.

After her death, the world mourned the loss of the beloved musician, paying tribute in a variety of ways. Earlier this month, the Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board of Commissioners unanimously voted in favor of a rule change to allow the renaming of Nashville International Airport to honor Parton.

On Sept. 20, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law that establishes Sept. 25 as Dolly Parton Day, in honor of her popular single, "9 to 5." Nashville did the same, according to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp, and is encouraging residents and visitors to "wear pink, spread kindness and enjoy '9 to 5' at 5 p.m." local time.