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 7 of 38) Previous 15 Comments | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

91. I believe the public have way too much information regarding this.

Posted at 2:34PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by n.

92. I agree with some of the other posters. This family just lost their son. I am sure none of you who have children would want people talking about your religion and your child in your time of grief. I believe the only reason you do it is because you are too chicken s*** to say something like this to someone's face...sit at your computer and post these rude and insensitive messages. I really like John Travolta and Kelly Preston. I do not agree with their religion and I know nothing about their son. I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences at their time of grief and sorrow. We are supposed to be showing compassion people, not judgement.

Posted at 2:36PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by beachlover

93. I will like to comment to the person by the name of Chris whom left the following comment:

I wish people like you just shout your face and go bury you head it is obvious you don’t have a brain!!!!!

Lisa in England

“79. 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

Posted at 2:32PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Lisamst

94. I take anti seizure medication for migraines. I have had one seizure in the past and according to my doctor it is not unusual for an individual to have at least one seizure in their lifetime. I was lucky, I happen to be laying down at the time of my seizure.

I have friends that have seizures and they can't always be controlled.

Protective parents could have taken the precautions of having a nanny, door chimes, baby monitor's, etc. because of the seizures or just as a precaution in the event of a seizure. If you have ever seen someone having one, it is quite scary. Anyway, if the child is autistic (I have a friend with three autistic children) it is none of our business.

Many religions have "rules to live by", I personally don't think there is much different in restricting certain types of health care and not eating pork. It is all personal choices that should be respected under their freedom of religon.

I feel for John and Kelly, they have a hard time ahead of them. Loosing a child is the hardest thing that could ever happen to any parent. Yes, they are public figures, yes, this is news worthy. I just don't think the public has the right to know every detail of Jett's private life who was not a public figure. Give them all the respect they diserve.

Posted at 2:32PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Ladybird

95. My guess is Tom Cruise will not go on a rant. He cannot afford to embarrass himself a this point because he has to think of his new movie and how it would hurt the ratings...meaning MONEY/ After all, he swallowed his supposed pride (doubtful) to apologize to Matt about the "glibb" statement. WHY? A movie promotion of course. The guy is a joke and so phony.

I can never understand why ANYONE would think of Scientology as a religion. It is a cult with believes that harm others. What choice did Jett have to run away from it. Most 16 year old kids drive, make decisions and have ideas. Not a chance in hell that Preston and Travolota would have allowed him that choice.

Just so disappointed that these people follow a cult that does not allow proper medical care and encourages DENIAL of physical disabilities.

By the way, did anyone see that photo of Katie walking around NYC looking half dead? She should hurry back to CA, She needs a brain washing and whatever else they do to keep her in mind. For the love of money...she would put up with anything.

Posted at 3:54PM on Jan 5th 2009 by denise

96. I have no idea why people such as your selves would leave terrible comments about something you don’t or chose not to understand. How dare you judge this family!


GET OFF THE CROSS!!!

Lisa England

Posted at 2:37PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Lisamst

97. Lisamst, you can spam all you want but people are allowed to leave their opinions, even if those opinions go against yours.

Posted at 2:37PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Noms

98. It's really sad what happened to his son. I am interested to find out what caused his seizure. I was watching Larry King last night and they continuously showed John and his family coming out of a hotel and his son appeared to look at though he has some type of mental disability. John was holding his hand and his daugther's hand as they approached the mini-van. I watched his son in the van while John was talking and someone seat belted him in as though he were a child, like his sister's age. Though he's never spoken much about his son, I'm wondering if he has some type of mental disability?

Posted at 2:41PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Deesker

99. To the Travolta family, I am so truly sorry for your loss, and my family sends their prayers to yours!
Carol M. Kent WA

Posted at 2:49PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Carol McClintock

100. The video of the family in Paris is so sweet and now heartbreaking to view. They kept the situation calm and it was endearing to see John holding Jett's hand and leading him.

I would like to believe that they gave him the best of medical and personal care for whatever disability he has. I believe they loved Jett with all of their hearts.

I wish the family a future or peace and blessings and Jett passed away knowing he was loved, surely. Does religion matter at this point?

Posted at 2:42PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Bailey

101. The posters who continuously refer to Scientology as a "religion" need to get with the program. Ask ANY Scientologist if it is THEIR religion. The answer will be NO. Scientology is a for profit cult that appeals to affluent groups of people who are in some type of emotional distress looking for hope.

Posted at 2:44PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by MSDOS

102. What a horrible tragedy for the Travoltas. We don't know what medication their son was on so to immediately say he wasn't on any medication is premature. Kawasaki disease is not an ongoing disease. You don't get treated for a long period of time and only 1-2% of kids who had the disease in the past develop heart problems and that percentage is from the kids who weren't treated when the disease first represented itself. Kelly Preston said they went to the hospital and found quite a few kids there with the same disease so Jett did get medical treatment from doctors. Clearly their son had either autism or some form of neurological damage - perhaps caused by the seizures - or they wouldn't have had to have two nannies, a baby monitor and door chimes on bathroom doors. I do have one question - where is their daughter? Why did they on a holiday to the Bahamas with one kid but not the other?

Posted at 2:46PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by BCT

103. I am smart and all you religion freaks are nuts!!

Posted at 2:45PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by Lisamst

104. Okie Doke--sorry, but you ARE spouting off a bunch of uneducated guesses, albeit this time with a different posting name than last night. You may be educated as to the tenets of the cult of Scientology, but every single thing you opine about and then post here regarding the Travolta family and their PRIVATE dealings with the health of their children is most definitely in the realm of uneducated guessing.

You do not know them, you are not their family doctor, you were not there at the scene, and you have no idea whether they actually follow all of the rules of Scientology (publicly or privately). You also do not actually know what Jett's true condition was during his lifetime, although you may watch videos and assume based on behaviors. You still are not educated as to the private dealings of this particular family. None of us are.

Posted at 2:46PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by let them be

105. To #63 drinthehouse: You may have correct information, but I sincerely hope none of my physicians read or post on TMZ or any other gossip columns! Scary.

Posted at 2:47PM on Jan 3rd 2009 by tori

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