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 6 of 38) Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

76. Obviously, Jett was a severly handicapped child who required a nanny, a baby monitor, and chinmes on the bathroom door, which would make me believe, the Travolta's took every precaution there was for his safety.

What a truly sad story for John and Kelly Travolta.

Posted at 2:27PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by hottopics

77. 11-year-old Texas boy died suddenly this past weekend from a mysterious condition that causes inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body.

This is true, it just came in on fox news. Paul Roscoe, of North Richland Hills, Texas, died after collapsing at his home Saturday morning.

His death was triggered by Kawasaki disease — a condition that affects children, especially boys, under the age of 5, and causes aneurysms and blockages in the blood vessels.

Dr. Scott Alenick, a pediatric cardiologist in Northern and Central New Jersey, said Kawasaki disease is fairly common; however it is extremely rare for someone to die from it.

Posted at 2:19PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by nykaren

78. Great post, Dharma. I hope some of the people posting nasty and judgmental comments (without ANY personal involvement in the case) will take heed. Unfortunately, they probably won't, but we can hope.

Posted at 2:19PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by let them be

79. This death could very well be a result of a "religion", especially since this "religion" does not allow its members to see Medical Professionals or take prescribed medication for anything whatsoever. When your child, husband, wife, mother or father are ill, wouldn't you want them to get medical help or would you prefer to watch them suffer? I know when my son has brinchitis I take him to the Dr. to get antibiotics to help fight the infection rather than watch him suffer and get pnuemonia and die. Preventative medication is a must for some illnesses and if you have siezures, there is medication out there to help control it. No, it is not a cure but it does help - and it helps a lot more than autiding, a vitamin pack and seclusion.

Read up and research Scientology and get educated as I have before you decide that others are spouting off with a bunch of uneducated guesses.

Posted at 2:19PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Okie Doke

80. most people with the disease this child had only lived to be age 5,

You can't be serious. Please google Kawasaki Disease since you obviously didn't read my post about it. Kawasaki Disease does not kill children under the age of 5, and neither does Autism. Please educate yourself before attempting to sound intelligent and making yourself look really stupid.

Posted at 2:22PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Okie Doke

81. Something is fishy here, I can feel it in my gut. How large was the suite in the hotel that John and Kelly would not be aware that something has happened to their son? 2 nannies and a caretaker watching one boy and the hotel manager is first on the scene. It seems someone is covering up something. Why is the story now changing from the police report about who and when someone last saw him. The truth will come out!

Posted at 2:59PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Lynn

82. In America we have freedom of religion, don't we? Should we outlaw all religion except yours? Were supposed to be proud to be American's.....we have a choice.

Posted at 2:24PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Jehovah Speaking...

83. I think it's clear that Travola murdered his son when he privately announced to the family that he intends to reject Scientology.

There is NO escaping the cult.

Posted at 2:27PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by anonymous

84. I would like to say that i am so sorry for your lost my heart goes out to you and the family you are in my prayeres

Posted at 2:27PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Laura

85. 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 2:26PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Lisamst

86. Several people have posted that they are going to "pray" for the family. Who exactly are you going to pray to? The Travolta's do NOT believe in God, so please show HIM the respect that they don't and leave HIM alone. Yes, that may sound harsh, but they made their bed and now they are going to have to sleep in it!

This child's death is a direct resoult of his parents' bad choices and unfortunately for him, he got to pay for it. No 16 year old should die, especailly when that death could in all likelihood have been prevented.

Posted at 2:27PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Chris

87. A child has died.

Who cares what his parent's religion is? Who cares what country he was visiting? Who cares who was supposed to be watching him? Who cares what disease he may or may not have had? Who cares what his parent's did for a living? Who cares what his physical appearance was? Who cares about any of that garbage?

A child has died. It is the most heartbreaking thing in the world. As a parent, I cannot imagine the Travolta's grief. As a human being, I cannot do enough to share my condolences. As a person with a conscience, I can do no more than ignore the mean-spirited shots at the family & friends of this child & hope that they find some kind of comfort in the coming days. And hope to God that this never happens to me or my children...

Posted at 10:56PM on Jan 9th 2009 by goldenaz4

88. 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 2:27PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Lisamst

89. I think it's terrible these people hid this child in a closet all these years, and what's worse, they forced they zany views on an innocent child! Had they sought medical attention (sounds like they never did) this kid would still be alive. I just hope someone does something for the little girl before it's too late.....

Posted at 2:30PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Mom of 3

90. Scientology isn't a religion, it's a cult, where a science fiction writer came up with a religion to make money by telling people all their problems are caused by aliens. And that includes psychological problems and diseases like autism.



Posted at 2:31PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Clive

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