A major row has erupted over Dolly Parton's estate and business empire less than a month after her death on August 25.
The management company She's Alive has filed a lawsuit seeking a restraining order against Bryan Seaver, who was Dolly Parton's longtime security manager. Seaver is accused of "an offensive, deliberate and increasingly threatening campaign" against She's Alive to obtain money from Dolly Parton's estate, The New York Times reports.
The newspaper cited text messages between Seaver and one of Parton's former lawyers, filed in court, in which Seaver describes himself as a "killer" and arms dealer working for private military companies, which was interpreted as a threat.
According to the management company, Seaver began making threats in the final stages of Dolly Parton's life.
If She's Alive gets its request through, Seaver will not be allowed to contact the company's staff or go near their offices, nor will he be allowed to contact other clients.
A lot of money is at stake. In addition to income from her successful music career, Dolly Parton has created a business empire, most famously the Dollywood theme park in Tennessee. A museum about the artist and an associated hotel will also open on September 29 in Nashville.
The American equivalent of a Swedish estate inventory after Dolly Parton has not yet been completed.
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