Dolly Parton‘s nephew says he won’t be intimidated after being forcibly removed as her head of security — a position he’s held for the last two decades.
Bryan Seaver received a termination letter last week, removing him from his duties at all of Parton’s properties, effective immediately, according to TMZ. Security replacements moved into the late country music icon’s personal home, her downtown home, museum, and warehouse as a result of the shakeup.
Seaver was the one who delivered the news that Parton had died on Aug. 25 — a request she personally made of him. Before him, Seaver’s father held the head of security position.
Seaver says he and his team are “dismayed by the unexpected and, so far, unexplained actions” being taken, for which they blame Parton’s longtime manager, Danny Nozell, and Pinnacle Bank. The termination letter he received notes that Parton’s properties and professional business interests are held by the DP Dean Trust.
In a statement to TMZ, Parton’s nephew says they remain steadfast in protecting her brand and giving nature.
“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,” Seaver’s note reads.
Parton was quietly battling cancer when she died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, in late August.
The “Jolene” star’s niece, Jada Star, told Extra earlier this month that Parton didn’t want fans to worry about her, which is why she kept the details of her health issues private.
“She never wanted to worry anybody. So I think it was just a shock,” Star said.
Parton leaves behind her Dollywood theme park and resort in Eastern Tennessee, her charitable Imagination Library, which gives free books to young children, her all-new Life of Many Colors Museum, and a legacy much too long to report on in full.