Dolly Parton's Hollywood Walk of Fame star defaced a week after her passing

Following Dolly Parton's death at age 80, fans gathered on Hollywood Boulevard to mourn, turning the area into an emotional shrine. On Monday, they discovered that the star honoring her on the Hollywood Walk of Fame had been vandalized: the surrounding flowers were gone and deep scratches marred the brass inlay bearing her name. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce confirmed that crews, already slated to address pre-existing cracks, were dispatched to repair the damage and install a new segment.

A chamber spokesperson said a fan was responsible for both stealing the flowers and carving the scratches, and local news outlet KNX recorded the repair work in progress. Parton, who earned her first star in 1984 and later became one of the few performers with multiple stars, had been celebrated by family members, including her nephew and security chief Bryan Seaver, who announced her death on social media. The incident underscores the challenges of protecting public memorials amid heightened public interest.