Dolly Parton’s estate has secured a temporary restraining order against her former head of security and nephew, Bryan Seaver, following allegations that he made threats involving violence, weapons and what court documents describe as plans for “long-term vengeance.”

The restraining order was granted on Sept. 22, the same day Parton’s estate filed a complaint against Seaver. According to court filings, the alleged campaign of threats and intimidation began in the weeks surrounding the singer’s death on Aug. 25.

Seaver had worked as Parton’s head of security for more than 20 years and, at Parton’s request, was the person who announced her death.

The estate alleges that after Seaver became aware that Parton’s death could be imminent, he began using his claimed military and weapons experience to pressure those handling her business affairs.

“Mr. Seaver began invoking his self-proclaimed military-contractor experience, access to weapons, and capacity for violence,” the estate’s filing states, alleging that he attempted to force the estate to meet his financial demands.

Court filings detail alleged weapons and violence statements

According to the memorandum supporting the restraining-order request, Seaver allegedly described himself as “literally an international arms dealer and mercenary” and spoke about warfare and obtaining revenge against people he believed had betrayed his family.

In one alleged conversation with Parton’s longtime manager Danny Nozell, Seaver reportedly said he was seeking “vengeance” for his family and claimed that he owned swords and guns.

He also allegedly warned that people should be concerned about what he might do.

In a Sept. 3 email to Parton’s entertainment attorney, Seaver allegedly referred to himself as “a killer.” The filing also claims he wrote that he had sold millions of dollars’ worth of ammunition and arms to Haitian police on the day Parton died, adding that entertainment was not his profession.

The allegations have not been proven in court. Seaver has not responded to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.

Estate alleges employees fled over safety concerns

The court documents describe additional fallout from the dispute.

On Sept. 1, Seaver allegedly sent a message to an attorney representing Parton’s trust and estates, saying he was about to become the “hand of retribution” for his family. The attorney subsequently ended her representation of the trust, according to the filing.

The complaint further alleges that employees working for She’s Alive, LLC, the entity Parton established to oversee her business interests after her death, resigned because they feared retaliation from Seaver and people allegedly associated with him.

According to the estate, the departures left the company facing significant disruption and losses.

She’s Alive is asking the court to prevent Seaver from interfering with its business operations. The company is also seeking compensatory and punitive damages, with the amount to be determined at trial.

Seaver previously disputed his termination

Seaver previously addressed his dismissal after TMZ reported that Parton’s estate had terminated him earlier in September.

In a statement shared with the outlet, Seaver and his team said they were “dismayed by the unexpected and, so far, unexplained actions” taken following Parton’s death.

They also said they remained committed to carrying out what they described as Parton’s final directive to protect her family, while accusing others of acting in bad faith and attempting to profit from her legacy.

The latest court filings present a sharply different account of the dispute, with Parton’s estate alleging that Seaver’s conduct escalated into threats and intimidation.

The temporary restraining order now places the allegations before the court as the legal battle over control of Parton’s business interests continues.

Source: Compiled from various sources.