Dolly Parton's sisters deny family feud, defend nephew - USA Today
Dolly Parton's sisters are pushing back against suggestions that the country music icon's family is fractured amid an escalating legal dispute involving her nephew, Bryan Seaver.
Stella Parton said her family remains united in a Facebook post Thursday, Sept. 24, nearly one month after Dolly Parton died at 80. Her comments came one day after sister Freida Parton also rejected reports of a family feud.
The statements follow Seaver's dismissal as head of security for his late aunt's properties and legal documents accusing him of threatening employees and attempting to damage Parton's business interests. Seaver has denied threatening anyone.
Here's what we know about the Parton family's response and the ongoing estate dispute.
Stella Parton reflected on the approaching one-month anniversary of her sister's death and thanked fans for supporting the family as it grieves.
She also noted that the siblings recently lost their brother Denver, who died less than a month before Dolly Parton.
"All families have the same struggles since we are all living in this world having a human experience," Stella said in her Facebook statement. "Regardless of what you may have seen on different news outlets, we are all doing what you would be doing under the same circumstances."
Stella Parton said the family is "still intact and moving forward," adding that its children and grandchildren are looking to older relatives for strength during a period of loss and uncertainty.
Seaver is the son of Dolly Parton's sister Cassie and served as his aunt's head of security for about two decades. His father, Larry Seaver, previously held the position.
Dolly Parton selected her nephew to announce her death on behalf of the family. He was dismissed from his security role weeks later.
The termination notice said Seaver's personal interest in the DP Dean Trust was not affected by his firing.
Freida Parton addressed speculation about a rift within the family after Bryan Seaver was fired as head of security for Dolly Parton's properties and became the subject of a temporary restraining order.
In an Instagram statement, Freida Parton said there was "no feud" within the family and denied that members of the Parton or Owens families were fighting over Dolly Parton's estate. She also voiced support for Seaver, her nephew, saying the family continues to love "just as we all love each other."
As USA TODAY previously reported, the motion for a restraining order accuses Seaver and his security company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services, of making threats against Parton's longtime manager, Danny Nozell, and others associated with her businesses.
The DP Dean Trust, named for Parton and her late husband, Carl Dean, oversees properties and professional business interests. She's Alive, which is operated by Nozell, was created to protect Parton's professional property and legacy.
A Tennessee judge granted a temporary restraining order Sept. 23. The order prevents Seaver from entering She's Alive properties, contacting its employees or business partners, or coming within 1,000 feet of them. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 7.
Seaver has denied making threats and said several comments included in court filings were taken out of context.
Neither the legal documents nor the family's public statements disclose the estate's complete beneficiary list or how all of Parton's assets will ultimately be distributed.
