The Dolly Parton estate has dropped the lawsuit against Bryan Seaver, the "Jolene" singer's nephew and head of security.
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Why Did the Dolly Parton Estate Drop Its Lawsuit Against Her Nephew?
Back in September, the Dolly Parton estate filed a restraining order against Seaver. It alleged he threatened several employees after he and his security team were fired from their longtime role protecting Parton's properties.
But yesterday, Nov. 5, She's Alive, LLC, the company Parton created to handle her business interests after her death, filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of its lawsuit against Seaver. As PEOPLE reports, the dismissal, filed in the Chancery Court of Tennessee, was without prejudice. This means the estate can refile the case later.
That filing follows a war of words between Seaver and Danny Nozell, the longtime manager of Parton, who operates She's Alive. In addition to the alleged threats Seaver made to employees that cited his military background, he was accused of threatening to "destroy" Parton's brand with a podcast.
Seaver's Attorney Called the Lawsuit a "Misunderstanding"
Seaver denied that he threatened employees. He also said that his private texts with Nozell were taken out of context. He maintained that the messages were "ultimately friendly." Seaver said in an Oct. 13 court filing last month that the temporary restraining order was interfering with his life. It also affected his position as a beneficiary of Parton's trust.
"I care about Ms. Parton, her music, her legacy, and her family. I do not want this dispute to harm her legacy," he wrote.
After the dismissal, Seaver's attorney shared a statement regarding the lawsuit against him.
"Mr. Seaver cares deeply about his Aunt Dolly, her music, her family, and the incredible legacy she left behind," it read. "He has made a career out of protecting his aunt while she was alive and remains committed to Dolly and his entire family. Mr. Seaver is grateful to put this misunderstanding behind him so that the entire family can continue to grieve peacefully and ensure that the bright light of Dolly's legacy remains entirely untouched."
Seaver was the one Parton chose to announce the news of her death.
