John Travolta was forced to relive the last moments of his son Jett Travolta‘s life on Wednesday while testifying in a trial against two people accused of attempting to blackmail the Hollywood star. Jett Travolta, the eldest child of John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston, died after suffering a seizure in the Bahamas in January.
Paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former Bahamas senator Pleasant Bridgewater are currently on trial on charges of attempting to extort $25 million from John Travolta and his family. They are accused of trying to bribe money from Travolta in exchange for not releasing a document concerning Jett’s treatment after his collapse.
John Travolta originally wanted to take his son to the airport and fly him to the U.S. for medical treatment and signed a form releasing emergency responders from liability. However, Travolta then changed his mind and allowed paramedics to transport his son to a local hospital in the Bahamas. The two defendants allegedly threatened to release the form to the press if Travolta did not pay them, believing the document might damaging to Jett’s parents. Both defendants have declared they are innocent of all wrongdoing.
John Travolta testified on Wednesday that he desperately tried to save his son. “I ran downstairs with my wife to help my son,” Travolta said. Travolta stated he tried to revive Jett by giving him CPR, but it was not effective. Jett Travolta was later officially declared dead at Rand Memorial Hospital on Grand Bahama Island. An autopsy concluded the boy had died of a seizure.
UPDATE 1/4/09:TMZ is reporting that there’s a conflict brewing between the Bahama PD and John Travolta’s camp regarding the time line of Jett Travolta’s death. People who are with Travolta are bristling at the suggestion Jett might have been left unattended for more than 10 hours, but this morning cops say they are sticking to their story.
Police in the Bahamas are investigating yesterday’s death of John Travolta’s 16 year-old son Jett Travolta through their “Serious Crimes” unit. Jett died yesterday, ostensibly due to a seizure that caused him to hit his head in the bathtub of the Travolta vacation spot on Grand Bahama Island. What is not clear is WHY Jett was alone in the bathtub.
Jett was last seen by anyone the night prior to his death when he went to the bathroom. He wasn’t found until 10:00am yesterday morning. His “nanny” Jeff Michael Kathrein found him. This pic of John and Jeff is from 2006, but maybe it’s why Jeff wasn’t caretaking too well.
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, and Jett’s body is to be flown Tuesday to Florida.
Jett had a history of seizures, and, unfortunately, John and wife Kelly Preston are Scientologists. Scientologists shun virtually all forms of medication, and instead use dangerous detox “purification rundown” regimens, potentially toxic high-dose Niacin treatments, “auditing” (the tin-can sham) and other whacky “cures” like “touch assists” for what ails someone. No anti-seizure medicines for Jett, you can be sure of that. Jett was extremely developmentally challenged, and was known not to be able to communicate with words. Most people agree he was autistic, especially people in Ocala, FL. where the family spends much of their time.
John and Kelly refused to admit Jett’s true affliction, choosing instead the obscure “Kawasaki Syndrome” to define Jett’s problems. Any quick study of the syndrome reveals that it was highly unlikely that it was what Jett suffered from.
Is Scientology responsible for this tragedy? Had Jett been taking the proper medications he more than likely would not have suffered a seizure. He would probably still be alive. Instead of being cared for by a proper medical facility, Jett underwent Scientology “sec checks” and “auditing” – neither of which involves the treatment he needed for his disease. The Church and its members freely practice medicine without being licensed.
It is heartbreaking that this young man, obviously dependent on others to care for him, was a victim of the insane doctrines and of the cult of Scientology. Scientologists actively perform the exact same treatments on others who suffer from similar diseases. They are doing it right now, in this country.
For all of the Xenu and alien jokes we make about the members of this cult, Jett’s death highlights the true danger involved for anyone who has been brainwashed into the hands of these money-grabbing idiots. I feel very sad for John, Kelly and Jett’s little sister Ella. Maybe this tragedy will open their eyes, and those of others, to the truth about these horrible people- and Jett’s death won’t be in vain.
For those who wish to leave Scientology safely, call toll free from any phone (pay phone is suggested for anonymity) 1-866-XSEAORG.
John Travolta’s son Jett, age 16, has died. Jett passed away after suffering a seizure at the family vacation home at Old Bahama Bay Hotel on Grand Bahama Island. The boy’s body was discovered by his caretaker, Jeff Michael Kathrain, at around 10 a.m. in a bathtub in the Travoltas’ suite, according to police superintendent Basil Rahming. He had not been seen by John or anyone else since he went to the bathroom the previous night. The theory is that Jett hit his head in the bathtub. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, and he was declared dead at Rand Memorial Hospital on Grand Bahama Island. “We are still investigating,” Rahming said.
Jett has long been rumored to be autistic, and most certainly had medical issues. As John and his wife Kelly Preston are devout Scientologists, they allegedly denied any therapeutic autism treatments for Jett’s problems, and have kept him virtually hidden away for years. Seizures are not uncommon at all in autistic children, and Jett had suffered many previously. Travolta has always denied the autism claims, and contended that Jett had Kawasaki Syndrome, a poorly understood vascular disease which can affect the heart. Kelly Preston told Montel Williams that Jett was put on a special detox program as prescribed by Scientology. “He ended up getting better,” she said, but noted the boy still “has lots of allergies.”
The noise-canceling headphones Jett wore, however, are indicative of an autism-spectrum disorder. Scientologists consider any type of “mental disorder” as bogus, and someone who exhibits signs of such as inferior. As someone who has worked closely with autistic children for over a decade, video clips of Jett certainly look like he suffered from the disorder.
It is extremely rare for anyone over the age of 8 to have symptoms of Kawasaki Syndrome, an extremely rare syndrome itself. It is even more rare for someone to die from the syndrome. An autopsy will be held in the Bahamas on Monday. Video of the ambulance rushing Jett to the hospital is here.
Jett was the eldest child of John and Kelly; they also have a daughter, Ella Blue, age 8. Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium in the Bahamas says Jett’s body will be transferred to them on Monday. We will be updating this breaking news as more info becomes available.
photo credit: splash news
