Celebrity Justice
Travolta's Son -- Fatal Blow to Head

TMZ has learned what may have killed Jett Travolta, and it's not what police have suggested.

We've spoken with John Travolta's lawyer and close friend, Michael McDermott, and family attorney Michael Ossi, both of whom are with John in the Bahamas. They tell TMZ it appears Jett's fatal injury was the result of hitting his head on the bathtub, toilet seat, or both. And they say the intimation that Jett went undiscovered for hours is absolutely false.

Police have said the last time anyone saw Jett was when he went to the bathroom on January 1. His body was discovered by nanny Jeff Kathrein the next day at 10 AM. In fact, McDermott and Ossi say it appears Jett went back and forth to his room and the fatal injury occurred "very shortly" before Jett was found on the bathroom floor -- McDermott called it a "small window of time."

McDermott and Ossi tell us two nannies were present on the trip and Jeff was by his side 24/7. There was a baby monitor device by Jett's side and there was also a chimer in the bathroom when the door opened.

McDermott and Ossi say it is still unclear if Jett fell to the floor as a result of a seizure or if he had a seizure after falling or slipping. There was blood on the floor of the bathroom, but "not a tremendous amount." It appears the striking of Jett's head was the cause of death, though it won't be clear until the autopsy is performed Monday morning.

Jett's body will be embalmed Monday afternoon. There will be a local showing on Tuesday and later that day the body will be flown to Ocala, Fla. for burial.

McDermott says both John and Kelly are night owls. John often goes to sleep at around 5 AM. But McDermott says both nannies were at the hotel and Jeff always present.

McDermott tells us a hotel manager was first on scene with Jeff and the two of them administered CPR. John came in shortly thereafter and John took over for a "substantial period of time [and] was performing CPR and continued that until EMT came and took over."

McDermott says as for Travolta and Preston, the pain is "unimaginable and unquantifiable."

UPDATE: The Grand Bahamas health minister confirms that the autopsy will be conducted by two pathologists to ensure a proper evaluation has been made. A clinical and forensic pathologist from Nassau, that is U.S. certified, will fly into Grand Bahama on Monday to help perform the autopsy.



Tags: Jett, jett travolta, JettTravolta, john travolta, JohnTravolta

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(Page 5 of 38) Previous 15 Comments | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

61. I think it is horrible that so many people are making up their mind that John Travolta and his beliefs had something to do with this. None of us know what happened. And as for having nannies and a baby monitor we don't know exactly what that was all for. And he has a history of have seizures so any responsible parent would make sure if he did have a seizure someone could find out and get to him ASAP, which is probably why there were nannies and a monitor. You can't expect John and Kelly to be there 24/7. They live a life we don't know about. My brother died when he was 5 years old and it was on the news and my dad was blamed, which he had nothing to do with it. So before people start making accusations you might want to put yourself in their position. At this time it's not about us critisizing who they might be as people it's a time to respectfully let them mourn in peace. They may have some wacky ways of thinking but I do agree drugs aren't the answer for children. It is a very sad event that has happened and my thoughts and prayers are with the Travolta family whether they believe in that or not. RIP Jett!

Posted at 2:12PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Lisa

62. john and kelly are heart,s go out to you both are hope,s and are prayers are with you in your time of need this wont easy your pain but keep in mind the time you had with him and no one can ever take that a way he will all way,s be in your heart goo luck

Posted at 2:05PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by john and tracylee edmonds

63. why would anyone give sympathy to a regular person who had just had a death. it is irrelevant for anyone to care about this kid if many others are dying in other countries. he is a stupid kid for slipping or falling to his death anyways.

Posted at 2:05PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Altair

64. #10 Sandra,
Yours is the most insensitive post I've ever read. You are looking for Gossip and want to blame anything you can think of. There is no more unbearable pain on the face of the earth than the loss of one's child. You don't get over it, you learn to live with it, every day for the rest of your life! I wouldn't wish that much pain on my worst enemy.

You ask why two Nannies. The boy was prone to seizures, that's why two nannies. The Travolta's child is dead and you are looking for what they didn't tell you. You should hang your head in shame! Don't you understand that a part of John and Kelly has died and is gone forever. Some of the comments others have made are just as bad as yours. Things like blaming Scientology and L. Ron Hubbard or saying that 'you chose the wrong Religion" are totally pointless and incredibly insensitive beyond belief. It's like people that came up to me when my daughter died and told me that they understood how I feel because their dog had just died. I know they meant well, so I forgave them in my heart for it. Comments like yours I could never forgive.

John and Kelly, You have my deepest sympathy. I truly share your pain!

Sincerely,
John

Posted at 5:36PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by theonejrs

65. First, I extend my condolences to the Travolta family. There is nothing more painful than the loss of a beloved child. I am so very sorry for your loss.

Second, to those of you who think you know it all and who worship in the temple of Western medicine - which kills and maims many each year - keep your obscenely insensitive opinions to yourselves. What the Travoltas believe and how they live is none of your business. You can only wish you were as decent, loving, thoughtful, informed, and responsible as they.

Posted at 2:07PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by quan

66. This is very sad. My condolences to the family.

As a physician, I watched the Paris video, and in my personal opinion, this is defiantly leans more toward autism/MR which is strongly supported with the additional need of monitors and 2 nannies, one being a male (probably due to the strength and size of Jett). Kawasaki disease does not present like this. It's a real shame whatever the reason be that they are have not been truthful, but please remember medical information is a private matter and its their right to protect their family with what information they would like to disclose to the public. We have no right to judge them, They will answer for any right or wrong doings in their own way. Again, I do not have the child's medical records or assessed him myself, so this is just that an opinion. Coming on here and going on and on about what we think and know will not bring Jett back or how they have chosen to treat his condition. At this moment, we need to send our prayers and support to them.

Please remember that grieving a child, no matter the circumstances around it, is unbearable.

Instead of criticizing, let's hope and pray this tragedy will turn into something greater that will help children in the near future in memory of Jett.

Posted at 2:08PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by drinthehouse

67. Sad, this boy did n ot look all that normal, to begin with. A babies monitor, Nanny....questionable, it will come out. Privacy does have a price, poor soul, rest in peace....

Posted at 2:16PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by greatneck

68. What about Prader-Willi syndrome?

Posted at 2:11PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by mmbtrfli

69. Here's how TMZ's current posting begins: "TMZ has learned what may have killed Jett Travolta, and it's not what police have suggested."

How is what TMZ is currently saying any different from what the police have already said? Every single report I have read has said that he may have had a seizure, and that he probably hit his head on the bathtub. That's pretty much what has been bandied about on all news agencies for about 24 hours now. CNN, Fox, Reuters, AP, and even yesterday's posts by TMZ.

So how is TMZ's current posting any different? It's an ongoing investigation, for pete's sake.

Posted at 2:12PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by let them be

70. death is not a issue of a church or belief system. jett suffered from an illness, in some cases that illness kills one. in this case it appears it did. at a time like this, my son was found in the bathroom he too had fallen hit is head on the tube and toilet. he died, does it matter what made him fall, be it stroke, heart attack or anything other than on the day of june 17 he fell and died. that is the worst day of our lives. u cant have a million people watching each other, accidents happen they kill. and its not a belief issue. that comes in when its time to believe and accept things. god bless jett and family. by the way if ur tall enough u can fall and hit both things. our usual bathrooms are not sweets... nothing protects us from our deah and the way it will happen. get use to that. it takes away blame and anger.

Posted at 2:12PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Dharma

71. My condolences to John Travolta and Kelly Preston. As the parent of a 27 year old son with a terminal illness, my heart goes out to them. I can't imagine parents would not do everything medic ally possible for a child with a disease, as I know we have tried everything we could afford for our son's health and well being. God Bless Jett Travolta and his family.

Posted at 2:26PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by cschmaltz

72. #55, usually these patients are of short stature. I am thinking more Fragile X Syndrome

Posted at 2:54PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by drinthehouse

73. I feel very sad for the Travolta family and have them in my prayers.

But I especially feel sorry for the JERKS that leave comments about a person’s faith, in a time such as this. I wish you train spotter go jump!!!

As for Tom Cruise, you people have nothing better to do than criticise someone because they are more human than your selves! Again you bottom of the toilet cynics go jump!

Posted at 2:35PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Lisamst

74. The wonderful work he does for so many causes our prayers for you and your family

Posted at 2:55PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by anthony

75. Like I said, we live in America. We have a choice of religion....parents chose their childrens religion until they are old enough to chose for themselves. People die every day due to religious beliefs. He didn't die b/c of his religion, sounds like he died due to a sezuire....did anyone get that? No anti-sezure mediation if taken is 100% sezuire proof. Nobody knows what medication if any he was taking. If they chose not to medicate their child due to religious beliefs then that's their decision. As for me and family I'll pick another path.

Posted at 2:17PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Jehovah Speaking...

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