Celebrity Justice
Police Investigate Jett Travolta's Death

UPDATE: 11:50 ET. We've learned John Travolta has made arrangements with a funeral home in the Bahamas to ship Jett's body on Tuesday, presumably to Florida. The autopsy will not be performed until Monday morning.

Sources at the Freeport Grand Bahama Police Department tell TMZ the Serious Crimes Section is conducting an investigation into the death of Jett Travolta, the 16-year-old son of John Travolta and Kelly Preston, but cops don't believe any crime was involved.

A detective tells us the investigation is being run out of the Central Detective Unit, Serious Crimes Section, because of the high profile nature of the death.

We're told it is still an active investigation and the time line may be important in determining cause of death ... specifically, Jett was last seen going to the bathroom on January 1st, yet his body was not discovered until 10 AM the next day.

It is unclear if Jett fell and then had a seizure -- or if a seizure caused him to fall.



Reader Comments

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31. How do you know he was denieds medication? YOU DON'T

Posted at 11:13AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Dana

32. While of course no one on the outside can know for certain, the family is well-known for their scientology beliefs, so it is highly unlikely that Jett was taking any type of seizure medication. For the people who have commented that it would not be unusual for you to not see your 16 yr old son for that period of time, does your son also have a history of (likely untreated) seizures? Unless the answer is yes, you are not comparing apples to apples. I have seen numerous news stories and opinions indicating that Jett had autism, but the family was in denial because of the Scientology beliefs about illness. One neighbor of theirs who also has an autistic child is openly outspoken against their denial of the autism and their treatment or lack therof for Jett. Only they know for sure and have to answer for their actions someday. Regardless, the loss of a child will be a devasting and my heart goes out to the family.

Posted at 11:19AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Frankie

33. I have a friend whose baby went from 50 minute long regular seizures to 15 minute long seizures with medication. It's medication folks, not a cure and there is plenty of breakthrough seizure that can and does occur.

While sleeping, I too can "hear" (while lightly sleeping) my kids go to the bathroom but don't immediately jump up and check them to verify that they safely returned to bed instead I assume they are fine and fall back into deep sleep.

Posted at 11:17AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by David

34. And for all you idiots commenting on Scientology, yes it's a weird religion but most people in the U.S. just finished celebrating the birth of a man/god born to a virgin. Clearly that is completely sane (tongue firmly planted in cheek.)

Jett was diagnosed with Kawasaki's disease. While he, per layman, appeared autistic, he was more likely to have suffered meningitis related to Kawasaki's disease as can occur. And again, medication doesn't always completely stop seizures so even if he was medicated he would likely still get breakthrough events. You might also want to note that the bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house. Allow these parents the same courtesy you are given and let them grieve without damnation that is undeserved.

Posted at 11:22AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by David

35. Travolta might just win an Oscar finally for "Beat Actor" The most normal looking people are loony.

Posted at 11:24AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Freshy

36. My heart goes out to John and Kelly Some of the comments I read here are horrible I as a parent was blessed by God to have healthy children. I can not imagine what they muct be suffering now May God give them the strength and grace to face what is in their future without this precious child. I will not sit in judgement for I am not God. Only He can judge and if there ever was anything supicious in his death it will be up to God to judge until then my prayers and love go out to the parents and family God bless One more gaurdian angel to watch over this corrupt world Thank you God A in N.C.

Posted at 12:17PM on Jan 4th 2009 by anna

37. The beliefs of Scientology are not the issue here. If they want to believe in evil, intergalactic warlords that's fine by me.

It is the criminal activities of Scientology and the dangerous quackery of L Ron Hubbard that is important. This child WAS autistic, whether you want to face the obvious or not. And he was not treated for it because Scientology is against ALL forms of psychiatric help solely because they want people to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for useless 'auditing'. Scientologists have stated in public forums that they can cure everything from asthma to leukemia, and yes-seizures. Ex-Scientologists have stated that they were told they didn't need to take medication for seizures, one nearly died from that "advice".

Scientology isn't 'weird', it's deadly, and a big, fat global scam.

Posted at 11:34AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by cate

38. My heart truly goes out to the Travolta Family. I am an avid TMZ watcher and hope that in this instince, TMZ takes the back seat and gives them the time they need to heal from this nightmare. Only send out good thoughts to them in hopes that they can make it through this!

Posted at 12:37PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Josh

39. it greatly saddens me to think of the poor child dying alone

many years ago it was known that Jett was probably autistic (some called him learning disabled or mildly retarded) but the Scientology way is not to let the medical info out and to deny anything that isn't perfect-so even though we heard the family talk about daughter Ella-rarely did they speak of Jett and it is only now that we are reallying seeing photos of him since you can tell by the shots that he is not a regular teen.

I only hope that they did right medically and every other way for their son while he was alive-in spite of their religious beliefs-it would be tragic to think that in his short life he wasn't given every opportunity for health and happiness and progress and growth physically and psychologically

nobody should be so brainwashed by their religion as to not give their child everything necessary to keep them safe and alive and thriving
whether it be the best of medicine (which this family can clearly afford) the best of counseling, the best therapy if needed

since Travolta is so well loved will any medical professional be able to get hold of the child's medical records and really delve into the whole thing to see if his death could have been prevented with something that was withheld in the name of Scientology--I think not!

and that is unfortunate because any family considering Scientology as a religion should really be better educated in these things so they know that they may be putting their precious children possibly at risk

I guarantee we will never know the truth in this case and Scientology has a lot to gain by putting their spin on this and not letting any medical info leak out

a church should never dictate what medical care is appropriate-psychiatric or otherwise

that being said-my heart goes out to the family-especially the little sister Ella
and the grief of the parents will be overwhelming
especially if their beliefs contributed even in the smallest way

only speaking for myself here

Posted at 11:46AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Sloane

40. I dont believe in any religion for your information. I think they are pretty much a joke. But the one they believe in. wow. Its scary and quite laughbable at the same time. I do believe people should be allowed to do what they want. Hell if they wanted to pray to Ronald McDonald.Go for it! As long as it didnt hurt anyone and they didnt try to push on me. I dont care one bit. But If this kid had a history of seizures why wasnt he being watched better? I think that is all we want to know. If their "religion" caused this child to die they need to answer for it.

Posted at 11:38AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by tina

41. Jett was prone to seizures and required a caretaker. That in itself says that he had medical issues that needed a lot of attention. Perhaps constant attention.

First, where were his parents during that time because he was their responsibility, first and foremost. Second, where was the caretaker?

It is undeniably odd that this child went into a restroom, never came out and no one thought to check on him until the next morning. If he had been a normal, healthy teenager...no, it wouldn't be odd to not check on him. But again, he required a caretaker.

The truth of this matter will never be revealed. COS, the police in the Bahamas will make sure of it.

Posted at 11:44AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by 2009

42. No hate here....just people with questions, comments, condolences. It's a valid question to ask why this boy went to the bathroom the night before and wasn't found until mid-morning the next day by not a family member, but a caretaker. I always say goodnight to my boys and they are 16 and 18 yrs old. I'm not saying the family did anything wrong but there is more to the story than we know.

Posted at 11:45AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by sirri

43. This has nothing to do with Scientology. This just sounds like this kid was somewhat neglected. Yes, good teenagers (if you have a troubled one you need to keep closer tabs on them) do not need to be constantly monitored by their parents. But I can't understand a family not noticing their child for 16 hours or so. What about dinner? What about just checking in on your child? What about saying good night?

Posted at 11:46AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by kaykay

44. I have to admit I'm curious why, if he was special needs, no one checked on him from night until morning. Wouldn't you make sure he got to bed ok? Also, the "handler" found him? Things that make your go Hmmmmmmmmmmmm?

Posted at 11:49AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by sheesh

45. hey tmz,

Jay Leno saw Jett sitting in his audience during last night's taping !!! His death is faked...ploy to get PR for travolta's scientology gig, masterminded by tom cruise !!!

RJ Johnson is BACK !!!

Posted at 11:59AM on Jan 3rd 2009 by RJ Johnson is BACK !!!

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