Jett Travolta, John Travolta's son, dies

UPDATE: John Travolta's teenage son, Jett, likely will be buried in Ocala following his death at the actor's home in the Bahamas, an attorney said Saturday.

Jett Travolta, son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, was found by a house caretaker unconscious in a bathroom late Friday morning. He was taken by ambulance to a Freeport hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to a statement from chief police superintendent Basil Rahming. TMZ has identified the caretaker as Jeff Michael Kathrein.

The 16-year-old had last been seen going into the bathroom on Thursday and had a history of seizures, according to the statement. Police said they are planning an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Another police spokeswoman, Loretta Mackey, said Jett apparently hit his head on the bathtub.

EARLIER: John Travolta’s son Jett Travolta died suddenly on Friday after suffering a seizure at the family’s vacation home in the Bahamas, Reuters reports. The eldest child of Travolta and Kelly Preston has had a history of seizures; it was often rumored that Jett, 16, was autistic, but Travolta has said his son suffers from Kawasaki Syndrome, a condition that can lead to heart disease, according to TMZ. The family’s lawyer, Michael Ossi, said attempts were made to revive Jett, but he died at the scene.

Photo: Getty Images

Comments

[SpringReigns]

It's a sad commentary on Americans' decency #lack of# to see the repetitive lies that commenters post about the Scientology religion.

1) Scientologists do visit doctors, take prescription medicine, and undergo surgery for physical illnesses, just as nearly everyone does. In fact, Church policies *require* parishioners to seek competent medical doctors in many cases. Headline number one, paragraph one, chapter one of Hubbard's booklet "The Way to Happiness" states unequivocally in bold type, "Get care when you are ill." So get it straight. Tell the truth.

2) Jett Travolta had been taking a prescribed anti-seizure medicine, Depakote, for his seizures, but it had stopped working. In February 2008, FDA issued information showing that seizure medicines such as Depakote increase suicides! So these so-called solutions that self-appointed medical commenters suggest aren't as magical as their pharmaceutical marketing departments want the gullible public to believe.

3) Many commenters repeat some reporter's odd statement that the Church of Scientology supposedly does not recognize or does not believe in autism. That's ignorance talking and parrots parroting. Will someone post a list like "Conditions We Catholics Recognize" or "Illnesses We Lutherans Believe In"? That's as ridiculous a concept for larger religions as it is for Scientology. Churches deal with the spirit. They don't "recognize" diseases like the UN recognizes countries.

4) Autism is not a psychiatric or mental illness, as are popular examples like depression or schizophrenia. It is a neurological condition. So Scientology's avoidance of dangerous psychiatric procedures and medications is not even relevant in this discussion. Even the surmise that Jett may have been autistic is not supported by the words of any doctor who personally examined him. Only doctors who need to be on TV are promoting that idea--along with, they hope, their careers and chances for grant money from drug companies.

4) Commenters make huge leaps of logic and plunge into Credibility Gap. For commenters to criticize the Travoltas is nano-minded. We all know how dear a child is to a parent, especially a challenged child. Challenged children get attention and expense over other siblings. We've all seen the mutually loving candids snapped of Jett and his parents. The Travoltas have plenty of funds and devoted them lavishly to Jett and their daughter. (Just count the nannies.) Commenters who imply parental neglect themselves neglect the facts. To then further extend blame to a church is transparent bigotry.

So if you must comment, at least get the facts right. Then reread to see if your high-school journalism teacher would give your work at least a C.

That would thin the comments markedly.

I was in Scientology and know from experience the protocol Scientologists use.
I also know that "Scientology Minister" is an oxymoron

[M]

If my religion didn't allow me take medication for a physical ailment, I should as h*ll wouldn't be a member anymore.

[z kidman]

Before everyone tells me to "keepmy comments to myself" and the like, be reminded that this forum is for everyone's comments not just the ones you like. Also, be reminded that you do not know me, where I am coming from, what my experience is, or what I have been through, so before you claim that others should not judge, how about you remember that before looking like a hypocrite. (Although it isdumb to suggest people don't judge, it is in all of us). The whole sudden death and the initial reports make a lot of us concerned for good reason. The initial reports by AP and all others was that Jett was last seen entering a bathroom and then found the next day in said bathroom. The reports aloso said he suffered a blow to the head, and a seizure (not sure in what order or how lay people determined that on finding him the day after he went into said bathroom). Many people and experts who had seen Jett, heard him, observed him in life,were saying he was probably autistic. The "church" his parents belonged to do not believe in "Autism" and think psychology and psychiatry and any treatment or acknowledgment of developmental delays, or mental illness is evil, glib, stupid, and horrible. They also considered and said that Jett's "status" was "degraded". Kelly and John refused to treat or acknowledge whatever Jetts proper diagnosis was. Shame on them. Kawasaki disease affects predominantly Asian baby boys. The sizure medication the Travoltas claim he was on alledgedly "quit working" so they recently took him off it which they report resulted in him having at least one serious seizure a week.Knowing that, they still did not know or care that he was last seen going into a bathroom the day before he was found dead. Great friggin parents. I feel sorry for Jett and hope there is an afterlife and it is hella better than here and I hope he is there in it. Ella I hope is able to rise above the cult and her parents and live a healthy and good life.

[J]

keep your commenst to yourself - you don't know the whole story - you are not part of the Travolta family and was not with them!!!

[Samuel]

Their parents are negligent. I would want Child Protective Services to investigate the Travolta's.

[rick]

Jett Travolta RIP.I don't normally ever comment on a death but people can you please leave your religious overtones at home this family has lost a son, a brother ,a grandson, and many people have lost a relative and a friend. And besides all religions have their faults and good points just depends on who’s looking at them!

[david]

God rest the soul of Jett Travolta, being taken so young, no matter how it happened. I fall to pieces losing an aunt or uncle, and I can not fathom what I would do if it were my own child. Some of these comments tread on some very thin ice, and should be deleted by the "Room Monitor". Should John and Kelly decide to be Scientologists, that is their business. If that religion does not adovcate the use of up to date medical practices, then it should be closed down, at least to save the lives of those who have died under their "care". Condolences to you John and Kelly and Jett, rest in peace young man!

[josh]

i dont beleive in god either, does that make me a nut?? just cause someone doesnt share your opinions and views they are a nut? wow...

[jenna]

to the person who said "why can't we just pray for them"- they don't want prayers, they don't believe in god remember? they are nuts and so are the rest of the scientology members.

[Mere]

Shame on you Sasha. Grieving does not take place in a day and answers and information will come as an autopsy is performed and the family is up to talking about what happened. I hope you never have to experience such agony.
My heart goes out to all affected by this tragedy.

[A sad dad]

Kawasaki Syndrome doesn't cause seizures. This is terribly sad and my heart goes out to his family and freinds. Lossing a child is the hardest thing for a parent. Been there, done that.

Lets not judge until we know what took this young man too early. RIP Jett.

[Robin]

Thank you Sharon. I just had my son's 14th anniversay on January 3rd. He was only 21 when he was taken from me. No matter what religion you are unless you have felt the loss that John, Kelly and Ella are going through right now, you should not critisize. They are people just like us, does not matter that they are famous, they are still parents who just lost there only son. Let them grieve in their own way. Leave the religion out of it. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family at this time. Losing a child is not an easy thing, and no matter how long they have been gone it still feels like yesterday. God Bless you Travolta family.

[Beavis]

Dear Huckleberries, Rubes and Yokels,

In no place does the article mention rather or not the deceased was or was not on medication. You do not have sufficient information to comment on this.

[Cheryl]

Having lost two Grandsons myself,I can understand thier anquish..my thoughts and prayers go out to them no matter what their religion is or is not..

[kelli]

My heart goes out to John Travolta and Kelly Preston at this most difficult time. No matter what people choose to believe, it is obvious that they are a loving family and as a wife and mother I can't begin to know what they are going thru and I hope never to find out, life is precious and fragile and I wouldn't want to be in their shoes for all the money in the world, God bless them.

[Sasha Strider]

You had a day to grieve, now we need to understand the questions behind it. Would you want to know how someone died. Lets say that your mother got shot by a robber. Do you want to know who shot your mother? Or do you want to sweep it under the rug and forget about it.

[Sasha Strider]

Sharon you dont get it, they wear their religion on their sleeve. They deserve to be critized for their beliefs which basically killed their son. Shame on people how think that we should sweep this under the rug. Shame on you Sharon!!!

[Meg]

Sharon- Thank you for saying what you said. You could not be more right.
My thoughts are with the family. That is all anyone should be saying right now. There should be no talk right now that is anything other than support for the Travolta family and friends.

My heart goes out to the Travolta's
for the loss of there son.Anyone that
has lost a child at any age has to
hurt with them.If not then shame on
you for being heartless.I lost my
son going on 7 yrs and I still miss
him.His smile his laughter his kind
and loving words,his funny jokes.So
please don't judge a person look at
there loss!It is pain that doesn't
go away no matter WHO you are in
life.

[Sharon]

Who are we to judge the lives of others and the religious practices that go along with. The world has thousands of religions with practices that we neither follow nor agree with, but as humans we must be tolerant of others beliefs. The Travoltas no doubt are suffering in ways that only people who have themselves lost children, along with the suffering comes the neverending "what if" and "why" questions that we ask ourselves during these times. I am sure that they are asking themselves if there was anything that they could have done differently that would have prevented it, and it is unfair to point fingers and make accusations based on their religious practices and beliefs. Would we be saying something differently if they had been devote Christians? Or would we find something else to blame? Is it not enough that the grief that they are feeling is a feeling that will never be healed and a loss that will forever be noticed and anguished over? Pray for them to whatever god you have or keep them in your thoughts if you have no god, but please let these people mourn without the finger pointing and blame.

[Sharon]

Who are we to judge the lives of others and the religious practices that go along with. The world has thousands of religions with practices that we neither follow nor agree with, but as humans we must be tolerant of others beliefs. The Travoltas no doubt are suffering in ways that only people who have themselves lost children, along with the suffering comes the neverending "what if" and "why" questions that we ask ourselves during these times. I am sure that they are asking themselves if there was anything that they could have done differently that would have prevented it, and it is unfair to point fingers and make accusations based on their religious practices and beliefs. Would we be saying something differently if they had been devote Christians? Or would we find something else to blame? Is it not enough that the grief that they are feeling is a feeling that will never be healed and a loss that will forever be noticed and anguished over? Pray for them to whatever god you have or keep them in your thoughts if you have no god, but please let these people mourn without the finger pointing and blame.

[Joseph]

To Jeff and others like him, this poem is for you: Only once a soul wakes from hatred / can he know what is sacred- / for in the nightmare of loathing the spirit sleeps / and when he wakes, he often weeps / for the destruction laid upon his friends- / by his own hand before he had woken.

[Stephen Colbert]

Who ever is playing that dont use the religion is nuts themselves. He is a high profile person who basically wears his religion, i mean cult on his sleeve, just like tom cruise. So we need to know his life style choices.

[Jeff]

John Travolta was a neglegent dad. If Jett had a history of seizures then he should have been treated for with anti-seizure medication plain and simple. Scientologist or not, that is pure child abuse

[Sandie]

It does not matter what religion they are, nor what color they are.
This is a family who have lost a son.
Part of their family, part of their hearts.....GONE.
No-one should have to bury their child.
The pain is what matters, and their grief.
God bless them, and help them in their time of need.

[karl]

It's always sad and upsetting when the life of child is lost. God will bless him on his journey, no matter what his religious views are. Isn't religion just different groups of people with different views of the SAME divine force, God?

[CC]

My condolences to the Travolta family during this time of sadness and loss.

I would also like to add that the loss of a child is something that a few of you have experienced according to your posts and something that many of you cannot comprehend.

How dare you point fingers towards a family because of their beliefs based on inuendos and rumors. Show facts or shut up, and this is not the time or place.

I have lived here most of my life and many of you have only been here for a short time so how can you judge a group of people on their beliefs by what you have "heard" happened with Scientology???

When we lower ourselves to attacking families in morning for their child we have come to lower ourselves to a new level.

I am not a believer in Scientology but I do believe that people have a right in this country to express their religous beliefs and if this is the Travolta families belief leave it alone. There is too much hatrid in our world in regards to race, religion, how one looks, social status, etc when we are all members of the human race and this is ultimately the supreme catagorization that everyone falls into.

So stop the bs and give your condolences for a family that is feeling loss and pain in their hearts today and move on.

[JamieLee]

One of the hardest things for a parent is to out live one of their children. As people speak about Scientology, about whether Jett should have had medication, keep in mind, a life is lost, a child who could have been president, cured cancer or aids, or wrote the greatest novel ever written, the world will never know. I hope that within time, the pain of Jett's passing will become less for his parents. It does not matter to me whether Jett's parents are actors or just average people, what they are going through now can happen to anyone of any class. They are living their own private hell now, and nothing negative that anyone can say on any comment board can come close to touching that hurt.

The first time I saw this sight was after my son and I were hit by lightning. At 16, my Sammy died from the strike. From my hospital bed I read beautiful rememberances, strangers writing awesome, thought provocing(SP) words. Not like I am currently reading. If I believed the sun was green, would it take away this loss? If I thought clouds were marshmellos(SP), would the reality of this situation be any different? No.
So, to all of us Mothers and Fathers who live this loss I say, hold on. My loss is fairly new...July 20,2007 and to be honest, I don't think the amount of time gone by makes any difference. Your child is gone. The stinky soccer socks you use to complain about transforms into a daily sniff! The messy room is empty. You touch the frayed edges of their baby blankets remembering how your child loved to touch it because it was so soft. So, please be kind...you are not the one sitting in their bedrooms at 2am just rocking back and forth in agony.

[Mrs. Anderson]

My thoughts and prayers are with the Travolta family. I too lost my 16 year son tragically in 2002. NO one has a right to judge what they are going through. I will be praying for them. God bless!

[Sue]

My hat is off to you James Goetsch. Everyone should reread what James has to say and stop all the hate mongering. This is a tragic time and everyone should respect the family and their loss and give them the privacy they need to grieve.

[Sue]

First I wish to express my sadness at the Travolta family loss. Next what any of this has to do with the Church is beyond me. Albeit they were members so what at a time like this does it have anything to do with the child's accidental death. I personally have seen the Travolta's locally at the pool with their children and have never seen a more caring loving family. Misconception re: church and doctors. Quite the opposite I have had to go for medical exams prior to clearnance for services. They are not MDS they are spiritual counsellors. If people continue their false ideas with hard conviction they will never see any truth that there is to be offered in Scientology. Just observe without any preconceptions and one can easily see there is good in almost everything if you just give it a chance. Again my sincere simpathy to the family at a time of almost an unbareable loss.

[Joseph]

Anyone continuing to assert that Jett was not given proper medical treatment is once again using a tragic loss as an opportunity to express their hate and intolerance towards a religion. And to these misguided individuals, I dedicate this poem: It is those who have nothing to believe / that set themselves up to grieve / for want of the closeness they see couples share- / for the tenderness they see there- / which you cannot duplicate / from the lonely vantage point of hate.

[Kim]

To John, Kelly, and Ella, I am very sorry for the loss of your loved one. I cannot fathom, how a parent can make it thru losing a child. I hope God gives you the strength to get thru this difficult time. My prayers are with you.

[Sandy]

Regardless of what religion or non religion this family belonged to--they have lost a child. My son has seizures and I think as a parent you do anything you can for your child and sometimes all the medicine in the world doesn't help that much. I know nothing about Scientology, but I can't imagine not helping a child with seizures, or any medical condition, although I know there are religions out there that don't believe in medication. My only thought on that is that God created physicians to help us heal if possible, I don't believe He would create something bad for us. My heartfelt sympathies to the Travolta's. The loss of a child changes a parent forever and I pray for them to have strength and for their daughter.

[Ken]

Mr. & Mrs. Travolta. I am so sorry for your loss. I too lost a child in an accident and I understand your pain.

[W Holder]

It is a shame that Jett wasn't provided anti-seizure medication that could have prevented this tragedy due to John's belief in Scientology. I think a criminal charge can and should be brought against both parents.

[Jay]

This is a tragic loss for the Travoltas and our prayers go out for them and Jett. He will be missed.

As a note, Scientologists cannot receive Scientology spiritual counselling if they have a medical condition without first treating it medically, so they are encouraged to fix any underlying medical conditions before undergoing any spiritual counseling.

Despite lies to the contrary at various hate sites online, Scientology counsellors cannot accept for counseling any person who has a treatable serious medical condition that needs handling. And while drugs are not the first tool that Scientologists reach for, those who do need drugs to treat medical conditions such as high blood pressure or Type II diabetes are encouraged to do so. What we Scientologists discourage is taking harmful drugs for bogus psychiatric diseases like Math Disorder or Caffeine Disorder, or suicide-provoking psych drugs like Ritalin and Zoloft. We don't try to treat tooth decay or a failing kidney with counseling; on the other hand we don't try to treat the sadness caused by loss of a loved one with Prozac. That's something a Scientology minister can do something about.

[Joseph]

And I reply with a question - What's wrong a request that people be decent, and a little poetry? Speaking of poetry, here's some more: There is no sadness like the failure to help / In all the world there is nothing else that can break a man / into becoming someone else / and escaping how he can.. / And in this truth I see / man is a creature of true nobility

[windowsugar]

lillian, despite the prettiness of the words and the fact that I LOVE the name, Joseph -- I am SOLIDLY in your court.
I watched the video they have at HUPO and it showed him pretty clearly. Certainly not a typical sixteen year old. Very hesitant. Looked like ... well I don't want to judge. I think it's sad that they covered this up instead of facing it and making it 'okay' for everyone. Who knows what good could have been done? A very handsome young man.
I wish that travolta were not a scientologist (which for me is just shocking they must have something on him) so that we could keep this on the subject of his son.
But, I am in your court. Scientology is a DISEASE.

[L Hubbard ConMan]

Joseph, you really look like a jerk on these forums. You are going on for hours talking jibberish.

A person just died for crying out loud.

[Anonymous]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5Ed3nIwxpo

I started crying after Tory Magoo gave her testimony on youtube. It is very sad that Jett died and that she was forced not to take her anti-seizure medication. As I read these comments, Joseph and Lillian you need to stop your arguing back and forth. I hope that you see this video and understand the situation.

[Joseph]

Lillian - Here's another: Sometimes hatred has go on so long / No one can remember how it got that strong- / And it has become easy to forget that the enemy / Is like you, he loves his family / And to some he is a good friend / And if you understood each other the hatred would end.

[Jane]

Samuel I just saw the video. it is very shocking that Scientology would do such a thing to a beautiful woman. How could anybody allow such behavior and fake theories what Scientology put out.

I thought it was all about space aliens but this is serious. Why would Scientology have a blind viciousness towards doctors of psychology and psychiatry. People have neurological disorders that should not be left alone because it can pose a danger to society.

[Lillian]

Joe, did you pull that mumbo jumbo quote from the scientology cult book.

[Joseph]

Lillian, I think I will answer your most recent post with a poem: In another / you will only discover / what you are willing to see. When you are willing to find / A kindness of spirit and of mind / you will find yourself free.

[Lillian]

Joe, questioning WHY is not hate. We all acknowledge that someone's son is dead.

To question WHY is not intolerance
To question WHY is not hate

Joseph, you are low and despicable for trying to prove the impossible. You are low for arguing and spelling out your hate to silence others. To silence others in questioning is a sign of guilt.

[Joseph]

Lillian, or is it all right to call you Lilly? When you lie down to go to sleep tonight, how will you feel? Will you feel any shame or remorse for showing just how low a human being can go, in their obsession to foment hate and intolerance in this world?

[Sharon]

SO SAD!!!..........a child has died & some people are miserable enough with their lives to pretend they know the circumstances & blaming the cause tp be due to religious beliefs! (Newsflash....you can't believe everything you read!!) If these people making accusations would focus more on making their lives better & be more compassionate, the world would be a better place! Get an education, GET A LIFE and say a prayer for an innocent child who has passed away and his grieving family!!