Jett Travolta Was Killed By A "Seizure"

His Body Shows No Sign Of Head Trauma & His Death Certificate Says He Was Killed By A "Seizure"

(CBS/AP)  Jett Travolta's body shows no sign of head trauma and his death certificate says he was killed by a "seizure," an undertaker said Monday, as the 16-year-old's celebrity parents prepared for a Florida funeral.

Glen Campbell, assistant director of the Bahamian funeral home handling the remains of John Travolta's son, told The Associated Press that the body is in "great condition," despite police officials who had said the teen hit his head on a bathtub.

Authorities didn't release the results of an autopsy performed Monday, but Campbell saw the body and the death certificate, which was based on its findings.

"The only cause of death that was listed was 'seizure,'" he said.

Late Monday, a black hearse traveled from the funeral home to the airport after the family said it would bury the teen near their home in Ocala, Florida. Two white jets waited as police in dress uniforms blocked access to the tarmac.

Jett Travolta died Friday at the family's vacation home on Grand Bahama Island.

"We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief," actor parents John Travolta and Kelly Preston said Sunday in a public statement. "We will cherish the time we had with him for the rest of our lives."

Travolta tried CPR to revive his son, who may have died in his arms before an emergency medical technician took over, Usmagazine.com reported, citing Travolta attorneys Michael McDermott and Michael Ossi. They did not respond to calls from the AP on Monday.

Travolta, 54, and Preston, 46, have said Jett became very sick when he was 2 years old and was diagnosed with Kawasaki Syndrome, an illness that leads to inflamed blood vessels. Preston has blamed household cleaners and fertilizers and said a detoxification program based on teachings from the Church of Scientology helped improve his health, according to People magazine.

Police said in a statement that Jett had not been seen since Thursday when a caretaker, Jeff Kathrain, found him unconscious late Friday morning. But McDermott said that wrongly left the impression that Jett was unsupervised. He said two nannies were with Jett throughout the evening, and he does not believe the teen was in the bathroom for very long.

About a dozen security guards and Bahamian police officers patrolled around the luxury Old Bahama Bay resort community Sunday where the Travoltas have their home. The white-sand beach in front of the suites was closed.

The couple also has an 8-year-old daughter, Ella Bleu.

Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham sent condolences to the Travolta family and said the autopsy is a formality the country requires in cases of sudden death to rule out foul play.

Back in 2000, John Travolta spoke on The Early Show about Jett after the birth of his second child.

"The first one, they're monitored so closely. The poor things, how do they survive it?"

But starting when he was just two, something was also wrong with Jett. His parents said it was Kawasaki Syndrome, a rare lymph node disorder found in young children.

They have denied reports linking his history of seizures to autism, a condition their faith does not recognize … as among Hollywood's best-known Scientologists.

"I attribute everything in my career to Scientology," Preston said in 1997.

Autopsies cannot pinpoint autism, but today's may somehow explain his final fatal fall in the Bahamas.

By mid-week, the Travoltas hope to bring their son's body to central Florida for burial. This island holds a special place for the Travoltas. Wherever you go, the locals talk about them - and now grieve for them - like extended family.

A Close-Knit Family Fractured By Loss

Entertainment reporter Mark Steines, co-host of "Entertainment Tonight," said Travolta has spoken recently with him of looking forward to a holiday trip with his family, following the lengthy shooting schedule of "From Paris With Love."

"He said it was exhausting," Steines told The Early Show correspondent Julie Chen. "He was looking to the wrap date, which was the 19th, 20th of December and very much looking forward to time over the holidays with his family, coming here and ringing in the New Year. Of course, we know it wasn't much of a celebration."

Steines said he met Jett years ago when he was much smaller. "It is a family affair with the Travoltas. They spend as much time together as possible. There's a film coming out called "Old Dogs" that stars John, Kelly and Ella Bleu."

Steines said the family is "locked down" in their gated community on the west side of the island, surrounded by loved ones. "About 16 family and friends had come in to ring in the New Year with the Travoltas. This is what they typically do this time of year, a big gathering of friends and family here. Some of those people remain here in the Travoltas in support, and there may be possibly a small viewing as well."

The couple met in the late eighties while filming "The Experts." They married in 1991.

Steines described the Travoltas as "wonderful" parents. "They're always trying to find ways to work together. John frequently has them stay with him when he's on location. In this case when he was in Paris recently, they had a little chateau, villa that they all stayed together in. You know, he's a family guy. He loves his children very, very much.

"Kelly is very active in their lives from education to raising awareness about chemicals in homes and things like that and lobbying for, you know, not use of medication to deal with certain issues with children in schools such as ritalin and things like that. I've had long discussions with her about that. So they are very, very caring parents."

Steines said the close-knit family is now fractured by the loss of Jett.

[credibility2]

Scientology also espouses secrecy and cover-up. While so tragic for the Travolta''s, there are far too many questions that will never be answered, adding to the suspicion that in fact Jett may have been autistic. This child obviously needed help and it doesn''t appear that he had been getting it. This is no different that a Jehovah Witness denying their child needed medical help for treatable conditions. The law goes after negligent parents who deny their child treatment, yet when it comes to Hollywood and the Scientologists, the law looks the other way. Perhaps the tragedy with Jett''s suspicious death may finally reveal more shocking and disturbing practices by this "religion" which contribute to medical abuse of especially children with special needs.

[brannigon]

For Pete''s sake! Lets leave these people alone! They''re suffering enough without everybody''s ignorant opinions and comments! Now they have to read it and see it everytime they turn around! Have a little compassion! What if that were one of us going through this? Would we still have the same attitude and comments? Leave these folks alone already!God bless them.

[cherry9105]

God bless this family. God only knows what they are going through and feeling. I can''t even imagine. You are in our thoughts and prayers!

[hober_mallow]

I''m sorry for John Travolta''s family''s loss.

But it just goes to illustrate that no matter how much money you''ve got, the most important thing you can have is good health.



P.S. Does anyone out there remember that first TV commercial that John Travolta made for the life insurance company? Even in a TV commercial, Travola could convey emotion.

[barbaraf4]

While so tragic for the Travolta''s, there are far too many questions that will never be answered, adding to the suspicion that in fact Jett may have been autistic. This child obviously needed help and it doesn''t appear that he had been getting it. Posted by Credibility2
~~~~~~~~~~~
This is none of our business. It sounds to me that Jett was living at home and being included in their family with the help of two nannys. The fact that he was not locked away in a back bedroom or in some halfway house tells me the Travoltas were loving and concerned parents who were using their wealth to give Jett as normal of a life as possible.

[ekucrew]

"I attribute everything in my career to Scientology," Preston said in 1997

That just about sums up her lackluster career. It''s a dead heat between her and Tori Spelling over who is the worst actress.

[barbaraf4]

"I attribute everything in my career to Scientology," Preston said in 1997

That just about sums up her lackluster career. It''s a dead heat between her and Tori Spelling over who is the worst actress. Posted by ekucrew
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Scientology has sure carried Tom Cruise a long way considering he has absolute no talent.

[erasmus606]

"Kelly is very active in their lives from education to raising awareness about chemicals in homes and things like that and lobbying for, you know, not use of medication to deal with certain issues with children in schools such as ritalin and things like that."

It''s one thing to try and keep a child off ritalin, if you can, but quite another to withhold medication for SEIZURES.

[misssuzq]

NOBODY has the right to say anything negative at this time - this is a family that lost a child for God''s sake.

What a bunch of cold, heartless individuals some of you are!

[credibility2]

Point missed by those who are incapable of logic and fact, especially the comparison between what law enforcement applies when Jehovah Witness parents deny medical treatment to their child and law enforcement turning the other way when the same thing involves a Scientologist denying medical treatment to their child. We''ll never know what happened to Jett, because Scientology will cover-up the truth and the Travolta''s money and influence will further this continuum. Pity any child born to a Scientologist. If they have special needs, they''re doomed to suffer.

[walkshe]

It never fails to amaze me at the insensitivity of some of the responses here. When something bad happens, the responses almost always get around to blaming some part of it either on politics or religion. Have a heart people, they''ve lost their only son. Keep your religious beliefs to yourself, as the Travoltas have.

[sevenveils]

What a bunch of cold, heartless individuals some of you are! - Posted by MissSuZQ

As if you aren''t! Where is your sympathy for the children who die in Africa of malaria because their family can''t afford a $10 mosquito net? Where is your sympathy for the babies abandoned by their mostly unwed mothers? You appear to be able to pick and choose who you are sorry for easily.

[erasmus606]

NOBODY has the right to say anything negative at this time - this is a family that lost a child for God''''s sake.

What a bunch of cold, heartless individuals some of you are!

Posted by MissSuZQ at 01:51 PM : Jan 05, 2009

We all feel sad for the Travoltas. The media has given some facts (well that''s debatable), on certain things and people are questioning things. If we don''t question them now, then when do we get the chance again?

This isn''t quite the same, but I bet you would be one of those people that would sit back and watch while you thought a child was being abused and when the child died, you wouldn''t say a word or question why they died.

I am not saying that the Travoltas have done anything to their child. I am just saying that something like this shouldn''t have happened and probably wouldn''t have happened if he were taking medication to prevent those seizures. It sounds like they were severe and happened quite frequently.

[honestabe8]

hober_mallow: It was a Mutual Of New York (MONY) commercial. I remember seeing it after Travolta was famous

[erasmus606]

You can''''t feel sad on the internet. Thats impossible.

Posted by william313 at 02:31 PM : Jan 05, 2009

Sure you can. You can feel all emotions. I get tears in my eyes quite often from things I read. Like I got tears from laughing after reading about your budgie "Arseh*le" riding around on your remote control dune buggie.:)

[karlo59]

Living in the Bahamas..........for a tax shelter, or what?

[samthetvcat]

---"I don''t think anything I''ve ever read on these boards has made me cry.. "---
Posted by william313

Your story about taking care of your roommate made me tear up a little bit! But then again I am a weepy girl :)

[erasmus606]

"I don''''t think anything I''''ve ever read on these boards has made me cry.. Am I weird?"


It''s your medication.

[erasmus606]

---"I don''''t think anything I''''ve ever read on these boards has made me cry.. "---
Posted by william313

Your story about taking care of your roommate made me tear up a little bit! But then again I am a weepy girl :)

Posted by SamTheTVCat at 03:31 PM : Jan 05, 2009

Yeah, that one had me tearing up a bit too.

[thgdriver1]

I read where he was seen going into the bathroom on Thursday and was found in that same place late Friday morning. Was it normal for him to spend 24 hours in the bathroom? We have 2 1/2 baths in my home but if anyone was in one for more then an hour I would at least knock on the door and if no response I would brake the door down. Something seems mighty strange nobody thought to check on him.

[erasmus606]

"Speaking of medication, I think I''''ll get drunk tonite."

Uh-oh.

[debinok1]

CBS where is the rest of the story? Other stations carried the reports from Doctors who stated that Kawasaki Disease does not cause seizures. It can cause cardiovascular problems. What is the Travolta family hiding? Was their son Autistic and not getting treatment because the Church of Scientology doesn''t recognize Autism? What was the diagnosis behind the seizures that killed this boy?

[fenderhutz]

It''s sad that this kid would still be alive if his parents went so pig headed about their religious beliefs over their childs well being. The kid was so autistic he could barely speak if ever. Shame on you John Travolta, you killed your son.

[bluevillain-2009]

My daughter has a similar illiness. If she doesn''t take meds her fate may be the same. But being cold about the death of a child is sick. The doctors told us with or without meds something like this could happen. We have also been told that all natural herbs may actually better her condition. Its easy to sit here and criticize a family as the "public," but no one has the right to down a family for their choices.

[lyndar2]

Shame on all of you! You obviously have never known the loss of a child. It is unbearable. John Travolta has been a humanitarian and helped many people and your unkind, sleazy remarks have no place in this board. Just let the family grieve at this most devastating time in their lives.

[lyndar2]

Sorry, bluevillian, didn''t mean you.

[bluevillain-2009]

Its ok Speak... I don''t take these things personal. But news or not, goes to show you that we don''t always get the facts from the media. We never know the whole truth even when it is "news."

[barbaraf4]

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the picture at the beginning of this article says it all. John Travolta looking at his son with such unconditional love and pride touches my heart.

[jojoblu]

I think it%u2019s safe to say that we have all followed John''s career at one time or another. I know I have since the first time I saw him in ''Welcome Back Kotter'' in the 1970s.

We should all feel for the Travolta family at this time; they are no different than any of us. We should respect them and their practices; we should all be praying for them, not taking pot-shots at them, especially now when they need our prayers and love just to get through.

For the love of God people, they just lost a child! I cannot even begin to fathom what they are going through. How would any of you feel if put in their position? Can you not empathize with them?

In my upbringing when something like this happens, all bets are off! It doesn%u2019t matter how you feel about someone, and that fight you had with them the day before, you might as well just forget about it because nothing else matters now, nothing more than the care of the survivors.

Please, if you can''t say something nice, don''t say anything at all.

John, Kelly and Ella, we hurt for you. Please know that our love and prayers are with and your extended family now, as they are also with Jett. Please take good care of yourselves, and together we''ll manage to move through this.

Your friend,
jojoblu

[fenderhutz]

Feeling sympathy for someone that had a child die by accident and seeing someone that had a child die due to negligence are two different things. Please keep reading all of these media sob stories and ignore the cult that the family belonged to that wouldn''t allow them to acknowledge a legit issue with their own kid. I hope his mother feels guilt, I hope his father feels guilt. Freedom of religion is great, but when you have a child with a mental illness that can''t decide if they believe in your religion and they die from your neglect, I call that manslaughter.

[sblake63]

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the picture at the beginning of this article says it all. John Travolta looking at his son with such unconditional love and pride touches my heart.


Posted by barbaraf4 at 08:29 PM : Jan 05, 2009

They were not Christians, they could not have even known what love is. Maybe a fondness, but love is far from the grasp of non Christians. And this boy since he was handicapped and probably never reached a level of "accountability" by God, probably went to heaven. His parents on the other had, I hope they live long enough to dump their "garbage" religion and accept Christ so they can join their son in heaven.

[sblake63]

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the picture at the beginning of this article says it all. John Travolta looking at his son with such unconditional love and pride touches my heart.


Posted by barbaraf4 at 08:29 PM : Jan 05, 2009

They were not Christians, they could not have even known what love is. Maybe a fondness, but love is far from the grasp of non Christians. And this boy since he was handicapped and probably never reached a level of "accountability" by God, probably went to heaven. His parents on the other had, I hope they live long enough to dump their "garbage" religion and accept Christ so they can join their son in heaven.

[cbscrash072]

I feel bad for the family.
But I still hate Church of Scientology. I think very little of anyone who buys that load.

[bluevillain-2009]

What does being Christian have to do with love? Thats BS. Holy roll your way out of here. That is a ridiculous statement. Love is a feeling, not a religion

[cbscrash072]

sblake63: The only difference between Christianity and the Church of Scientology is a few thousand years. I give Christians a pass because they have a couple millenniums of BS to wade through but your pushing it. Love is a human emotion it requires no god. In fact it works better without one. Try it.

[wheear]

His parents on the other had, I hope they live long enough to dump their "garbage" religion and accept Christ so they can join their son in heaven.
Posted by sblake63

I read the bible almost daily and I have read it in it''s entirety. Nothing in the Bible or about the life of Christ supports being as insensitive as your comments are. You really need to get on your knees and ask God to forgive you.

[debinok1]

Scientology is not a church it is not a religion, it has exempt status as a charitable organization. They also have a pretty suspicious past. Just because a celebrity says it is a good place and does good things do your own research. It has been refered to as a cult, Even by ex members.

[Sharkdog2000]

They seem to be really good people & losing their child is such a horrible tragedy. I can''t believe you people who are picking on their religious preference. I don''t care what you believe, I''m sure we could find many people to mock your values, too...how would that be? Or should we wait until you''re in pain? That''s just rude. And for the record? At a time of extreme grief like this must be for them, I''d support them worshiping cheese if that''s what brought them comfort. Our place is not to judge & those of you who feel it necessary to do so should be ashamed of yourselves.

[abrame]

My Condolences. It''s terrible to lose a child.

[asamiller]

This has nothing to do with Scientology. This has everthing to do with a grief stricken family. There''s nothing worse for a family than to lose a child. It doesn''t matter if the family is Christian, Muslim, Scientologist or whatever.

[debinok1]

I am not judging anyone. I have only stated facts. If there is something behind this boys death that is being hidden as is being suggested then an investigation should follow. I feel for the loss of any child in any family. They have my sympathy and my prayers. They also have some suspicion from Doctors and others who question the diagnosis of Kawasaki Disease. If there is anything that could have been done to help this child and wasn''t then it should be investigated.

[notfooled]

They were not Christians, they could not have even known what love is. Maybe a fondness, but love is far from the grasp of non Christians. And this boy since he was handicapped and probably never reached a level of "accountability" by God, probably went to heaven. His parents on the other had, I hope they live long enough to dump their "garbage" religion and accept Christ so they can join their son in heaven.

Posted by sblake63 at 09:00 PM : Jan 05, 2009

They weren''t christians so they don''t know about love?

Pretty much the most asinine statement I''ve heard in some time.

Funny how religious zealots come off sounding like tards when they try to spread their cult teachings.

[Sharkdog2000]

I agree...saying only Christians understand love is easily one of the most ignorant statements that I have ever heard. EVER. Seriously, that is stupidity at an award-winning level. If you''re going to profess to be a "Christian", please - go read your bible and learn something first. You''re just embarrassing yourself.

[kc3599-2009]

what is up with people? So they are or are not christians, who are we to judge. ""oh look at me, look at me, I am the greatest christian ever" but when you don''t see or hear something you like you push your christian valves aside and then try and rip someone a new A**, and then when you are done trying to play GOD, you go back to your "Oh look at me, look at me. everyone believes there religon is right and they are willing to kill to say so. Don''t believe me look at the world, or better yet check the world history. So John and his wife Kelly have something else to believe in other than god does that mean we as normal human beings should judge them? I say no, we try and punish people that do good things in the world but, we let the trash and scum of the earth get off and cry foul and we give them money and let them go on their merry way! People take a good look in the mirror and pray for yourselves

[noirviolette]

To the one who said non-christians do not know what love is,thats a crock.You do not know me,so don''t try to describe me.I am not a christian,I do not believe in god,but I do know what love is as well as caring,respect for peoples feelings and compassion.
Sadness,loss and grief.But from some of these comments I can see theres alot of people who do not know the meaning of these words.

[sevenveils]

Muslims can''t fathom love. Otherwise why would they marry a stranger? Christians can''t fathom love. Otherwise how could they burn a friend at the stake for witchery. Jews cannot fathom love.

The Abrahamic religions can''t teach a thing about love because they are steeped in torture, murder and acts of bestiality. The devil lives in the hearts of those.

[conradjj]

Tuberous Sclerosis. Check.it.out.

[sevenveils]

For the most part, people of all religions are trying to be good people. Even those that are steeped in cults such as Scientology and Fundamental Later Day Saints can be good people.

The root of evil is bad people can influence and control good people with scary thoughts. for instance Rove, Cheney and Bush were masters of this phenomenon with the American sheeple.

It is a same that people are not comfortable outside their religious boxes. Too bad some people think they have to kill people outside of their boxes to gain favor with their box gods.

[shanev137]

I can''t even imagine the horror and trauma of having to perform CPR on your child and then watch them die in your arms. I hope John and his family can make it through this tragic event.

[cricketmk3]

Some of the comments on here are inappropriate to say the least. I''ve read that the Travolta''s gave their son anti-seizure medication for a long time until it started to affect his organs. He was a sick child who died but he was a beautiful child and loved immensely by his family!!