Dolly Parton's Estate Takes a Turn for the Dramatic

The nephew who announced Dolly Parton's death is now without a job—and the move is deepening a family power struggle. TMZ reports that Parton's nephew, Bryan Seaver, has been abruptly removed as head of security for all her properties, including her Nashville home, museum, downtown residence, and warehouse, with a new team having been installed last week.

A termination letter reviewed by TMZ on Monday says Seaver and his companies are fired from every Parton property but notes that his personal stake in the DP Dean Trust, which holds her assets, is unchanged. Seaver and his team told the outlet they are "dismayed by the unexpected and, so far, unexplained actions" by Parton's longtime manager and a bank. The statement continued thusly, per E! Online: "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."