John Travolta and Kelly Preston's Son Jett Dies

by Libby Pelham | More from this Blogger

02 Jan 2009 07:02 PM

Wow, what a tragedy for the Travolta family - their 16 year old son Jett died today while the family, which includes eight year old daughter Ella Bleu, was celebrating the New Year in the Bahamas. While at the family vacation home at the Old Bahama Bay Hotel on Grand Bahama Island, Jett suffered a seizure.

Photo, from the 1976 film Boy in the Plastic Bubble, is in the public domain because the copyright has expired.

He hit his head on the bathtub and was found unconscious by a caretaker around 10 a.m. this morning. Medical responders attempted to revive the teen, but he was declared dead upon arrival at the Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport. Family attorney Michael Ossi said an autopsy would be performed on Monday then Jett's body will be taken to Ocala, Florida for burial. It goes without saying, but Ossi added, "This is the worst day of John's life."

I didn't remember hearing about it, but Jett has had a history of seizures due to Kawasaki disease. Kelly Preston revealed the disorder on the Montel Williams show in 2003. Jett was diagnosed with it when he was 2 years old after becoming very ill with what seemed like the flu. Almost 80% of reported cases of the disease occur in children between the ages of 2 and 5 and it rarely affects children older than 8.

Kawasaki disease causes the arteries to inflame. While it can be treated, it can result in heart damage in some cases. While the cause of the disease is still unknown, it is believed that it may be linked to chemicals used in household cleaners (including carpet cleaners), fertilizers, and pesticides. Preston has lobbied for companies that sell those products to produce more detailed labels.

John Travolta told Larry King in 2001 that Jett, who also suffered from asthma, had experienced a near death incident due to the condition in the past. Preston said that a detoxification program developed through writings by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard helped better Jett's condition.

Jett had been in Paris in November, where his dad was filming his latest movie From Paris with Love.

Learn more about Libby Pelham

Libby Pelham is a work-at-home mom located in Jacksonville, NC. She has a beautiful little boy, Will, born in July of 2004.

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mcmama (51978) 02 Jan 2009 08:24 PM

This is really sad. I hope that they will honor his memory by supporting charities for people with autistic spectrum disorders in NJ, where they are from - and where there is the biggest percentage of autism.

She may be on to something with the chemical sensitivity.

Valorie Delp (49340) 03 Jan 2009 05:16 AM

It is really sad. You hate to see things happen to such nice families in Hollywood.

Samual (11722) 03 Jan 2009 07:31 AM

The Travolta family do not use certain drugs due to scientology, which includes the drugs needed to treat and control his sons condition.

Libby Pelham (12866) 03 Jan 2009 08:11 AM

I know it isn't the same as losing a child, but when I read this my mind immediately went back to the late 70s when John was dating actress Diana Hyland (who originally appeared as the mom in Eight is Enough). She died reportedly died in his arms and he accepted an Emmy for her later. I may be mistaken, but I believe that is when he turned to Scientology.

Michele Cheplic (37236) 04 Jan 2009 09:01 AM

Backstreet Boy Brian Littrell's 6-year-old son was just daignosed with Kawasaki Disease as well. I can't image the pain the Travolta's are in right now. It's so sad. Though, I haven't read anything about Kelly Preston... was she there too? I know John did CPR on Jett until the paramedics arrived? What of Kelly?