John Travolta's 16-year-old son died today while the family was vacationing in the Bahamas, authorities said.
The circumstances of the boy's death are unclear, although sources told the Post that his body was found unconscious in a bathtub at the Old Bahama Bay Resort Hotel in Grand Bahama.
Jett was pronounced dead on arrival at Rand Memorial Hospital, officials said.
According to Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston, Jett had long suffered from Kawasaki disease - a rare condition said to be caused by chemical contaminants -- but many had criticized the couple for refusing to acknowledge that the boy was autistic because of his belief in Scientology.
In 2007, one of Travolta's Florida neighbors, whose son is autistic, said he was shocked that the movie star could let his belief stand in the way of helping the boy.
"They see it as a weakness. That's what the space aliens are telling him I guess," Tim Kenny told Hollywoodinterrupted.com after approaching Travolta as "one autistic father to another."
"Scientology is keeping him from acknowledging his son's autism. They see it as a weakness," he said.
In Scientology mental illness is viewed as a weakness, that can be treated through hard work rather than through medicine.
Source: http://www.nypost.com/seven/01022009/news/nationalnews/john_travoltas_son_found_dead_146914.htm
John Travolta's Son Dies In Bahamas
NASSAU (Reuters) - The teenage son of actor John Travolta died suddenly on Friday during a family vacation in the Bahamas, according to police and the family's lawyer.
Jett Travolta, 16, suffered a seizure at his family's vacation home at the Old Bahama Bay resort on Grand Bahama Island, attorney Michael Ossi said.
The teen apparently hit his head and a caretaker found him unconscious in the bathroom on Friday morning. He was taken by ambulance to Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport, where he was pronounced dead, according to a statement from the Royal Bahamas Police Department.
Jett, who had a history of seizures, was the eldest child of Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston. They also have an 8-year-old daughter, Ella.
An autopsy was pending, police said.
The family, who have homes in California and Florida, arrived in the Bahamas on Tuesday by private plane, police said.
(Reporting by John Marquis; editing by Jane Sutton)
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE50145920090102
By Paul Thompson
Last updated at 6:58 PM on 04th January 2009
John Travolta has spoken for the first time of his desperate struggle to save his son's life.
In a statement on his website, John Travolta said he and his wife Kelly Preston were 'heartbroken' by their sudden loss.
'Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered,' the star said in a statement posted on www.travolta.com.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston's teenage son Jett, 16, died in the Bahamas
'We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time that we had with him for the rest of our lives.'
The statement did not refer to Jett's medical history or possible cause of death. But it offered thanks from the Hollywood star, his wife and their eight-year-old-daughter, Ella, for 'many messages of condolence from around the world.'
As many of his Hollywood friends called to offer their support, the actor described the frantic efforts to revive his 16 year-old son Jett.
The Grease star sat down with family lawyer Michael McDermott to talk about the tragedy and make funeral arrangements.
'I did everything I could to keep Jett alive,' Travolta told McDermott.

John Travolta's house in the Bahamas where Jett died
'There was a slight pulse so we did all we could. I tried the kiss of life for about 20 minutes.I wouldn't give up.
'The paramedics took over from me when they arrived, and they continued. Jeff (nanny Jeff Kathrein) gave Jett CPR while I tried to resuscitate him.'
Despite Travolta's frantic efforts, his son, who had a history of seizures, was pronounced dead after being rushed to hospital in Freeport, Bahamas.
Two pathologists will on Monday carry out a post mortem to determine the exact cause of death.
'I've got to be strong for Kelly and Ella,' Travolta told McDermott, referring to his actress wife Kelly Preston and eight year-old daughter Ella.
'We have to try and pick ourselves up and continue with our lives.'

Jett is rumoured to have suffered autism
The actor is expected to issue a formal statement later Monday.
McDermott said Travolta, 54, and wife Kelly, 46, have been comforted by the messages of sympathy from his friends, family and fans.
Chat show queen Oprah Winfrey was due to arrive in the Bahamas on Sunday to comfort the couple. McDermott said other A-list stars were also planning to fly to the Bahamas to comfort Travolta.
Tom Cruise, a close friend and fellow Scientologist, has spoken at length to Travolta.
Will Smith has also called the resort in the Bahamas where Travolta and his family had travelled to see in the New Year.

Oprah Winfrey, pictured during her 50th birthday celebrations, is flying to see Travolta (centre)
Actress Kirstie Alley, who starred with Travolta in "Look Who's Talking" is flying to the Travolta family home in Ocala, Florida, to wait for his return.
'John has had dozens of calls from all the people he has worked with in Hollywood,' said McDermott.
'He and Kelly are very grateful for all the messages of support. It has been a great source of strength to them as they try to cope with what has happened.
'They really have appreciated all the messages, and they know lots of people are hurting. This has been the worst time of their lives, but they know life continues and they will pull themselves together.'
McDermott, speaking with the authorisation of Travolta, also released new details about the events leading up to Jett's death.

Kirsty Alley, pictured with Travolta and Kelly Preston, is flying to the family home in Florida to await the actor's return
The teenager had been with his family on a boat trip and returned to his room with his nanny Jeff Kathrein.
'Jett was tired and wanted to go to bed early,' said McDermott. 'It was about 6pm when he got back to his room which is on the ground floor of the house where John was staying.
'He was accompanied by his nanny who stayed watching TV while Jett was in his room.'

Travolta and Preston in happier times, pictured at an Oscar party last year
McDermott said Jett's other nanny, a man called Eli, later returned to the room and slept in an adjacent room. He was just a few feet away.
Jett's room was fitted with a baby monitor and chimes on the bathroom door.
The family have said Jett, who suffered from a condition known as Kawasaki disease, had a history of seizures.
One theory is that Jett suffered a seizure while using the bathroom. Another is that he slipped and banged his head and then suffered a fatal seizure.
'There have been reports that Jett was alone for hours and they are just wrong and distressing for the family,' said McDermott.
'As soon as Jett was discovered Jeff tried to revive him. The duty manager of the hotel was alerted and ran 150 yards to help. She knew about CPR and said there were signs of a pulse.
'John and Kelly were asleep in the room, but the other nanny fetched them. John took over trying to resuscitate his son.
'The ambulance took about 15 to 20 minutes to get to the hotel, and all that time John said he never once gave up trying to save his son.'
After returning from Rand Memorial Hospital where his son had been taken he broke the news of Jett's death to their eight year old daughter Ella.
'Kelly is still very quiet and withdrawn, but she is coping,' said McDermott. 'You only have to look at them both to see the pain, it is etched into their faces. They have not had a lot of sleep.
'It is hard to know what to say to a couple who have just lost their son.'
Jett's funeral is expected to take place later this week in Ocala where Travolta has a home built around its own runway.
An avid pilot, who named one of his planes after his children, he can park two jets just yards from his home in the Jumbolair estate.

No parent such as John Travolta and Kelly Preston should have to outlive their child, Jett. Even more tragic is for their son, Jett Travolta to die so young. There is a bit of confusion around the web searching for information as people wishing to extend their condolences to the Travolta Family have been keying Jeff Travolta rather than Jett Travolta. Our hearts go out to John Travolta, Kelly Preston & Sister Ella at this time as we extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences.
Image Source: Reuters Pictures on Daylife.com
Photos for Jett Travolta From Daylife.com
Including Famous Scientologists
Kawasaki disease, also known as lymph node syndrome, mucocutaneous node disease, infantile polyarteritis and Kawasaki syndrome, is a poorly understood self-limited vasculitis that affects many organs, including the skin and mucous membranes, lymph nodes, blood vessel walls, and the heart. It was first described in 1967 by Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki in Japan.
Citing the assistant director of a funeral home that carried out the autopsy, TMZ.com said Jett Travolta's death certificate listed "seizure" as the cause of death.
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http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=090106041843.wk8v3bcc&show_article=1
I am so sorry to the Family of Jett ,I lost my only son Leo at the age of
sixteen almost three years ago,Please know your wonderful son has already
been welcomed into Heaven by some many who have cared & loved him .God
Bless
and again my deepest condolences ,But Please remember
'Jett will always be only a whisper away'
What a sad horrible thing that made me cry. I could never imagine loosing
my son. God be with you Mr. Travolta. Hang in there. I know it must be the
worst day of your life. I lost my sister to cancer at age 39. There is
nothing worse than loosing a loved one especially your son. I am so sorry
that this happened to you. I wish you the very best in these times of
sadness.
It is hard to articulate how badly my heart grieves for this fine family.
Both parents are very well respected in their professions, but are human
beings as well, living what appeared to be a great family life. To have
such a tragedy bestowed upon them is just simply unthinkable. My heart
goes out to the entire Travolta family and my prayers as well. Just know,
God needed one really special angel, and Jett was chosen.
I imagine no words are enough to help mourn your loss, but know that there
are many people out here that have love and respect for the entire family
and we grieve as you grieve.
May you hold your heads high during this trying time, with the dignity that
defines John Travolta and Kelly Preston.
I must say, again in closing, how terribly sorry I am for your loss.
Blessings to you all.
Such a loving family with such a terrible loss.
I too buried my first born & only son.
I wish Jett's family peace in knowing
that one day in the very distant future
the love & happy memories
will overcome the thoughts
of his death.
Dearest John, Kelly and family.
Please know that my heart aches along with yours. As a mother of an angel
that passed to heaven in 2003 I feel your pain and want to offer my deepest
condolences to you all. If there is anything I can do please call on me. It
is our new life that we live without our children and sometimes it helps to
speak with those that understand this undeniably harsh pain. May God Bless
you all. Kathy (mom to angel Shawna Hunter)
My sincere condolences for the loss of young Jett.My Heart goes out for
all.You have many bereaved parents mourning your loss on Memory of We feel
your pain & Send Much Strength....Shelly
My husband and I are so sorry for your loss. We thoroughly feel your pain
John and Kelly as we too have lost our son Nicholas. We are changed
forever. Please know that Jett and you and your family are all in our
thoughts and prayers. Our sons are at peace with God now watching over us
until we are all reunited again and oh how beautiful that will be. God
bless.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO JOHN AND HIS WIFE AND FAMILY.....NO PARENT SHOULD EVER
HAVE TO BURY THEIR CHILD.
My heart and prayers go out to John, Kelly and his family for the loss of
their beloved son (in Coral Gables, Florida)
My prayers and heartfelt sympathies go out to the Travolta family. What a
horrible
tragedy. Jett will never be far away, always in your hearts.
Dearest John and kelly i am so sorry at your loss of your Precious Son
Jett, my heart breaks for your family, keeping you all in my heart and
prayers at this very sad time i lost my own son 6 years ago and having our
children go before us so very hard ... again please exept my deepest
sympathy Delia (mother of Angel Allan Tomlin)
JOHN & FAMILY, i HAVE TO LET YOU KNOW i LOST MY SPECIAL NEEDS 32 YR OLD SON
30 MONTHS AGO - i FEEL i LOST MORE THAN A CHILD, i LOST SOMEONE THAT
BRIGHTEN EVERYONE'S LIFE. hE SHOWED THEM HOW LITTLE IT TOOK TO MAKE OTHERS
HAPPY. hE SHOWED THEM PURE LOVE. hE LOVED YOU SO MUCH & SO MANY TIMES,
"GREASE' WAS PLAYING AGAIN ON VIDEO. sO KNOW YOU TOUCHED HIS LIFE & GAVE
HIM MANY HAPPY TIMES WHILE WATCHING"GREASE". hE LIVED RIGHT @ DELAND &
HOPED SOMEDAY HE'D SEE YOU! nOW HES WITH YOUR SON jETT & I'M SURE THEY'LL
HAVE A LOTS TO TALK ABOUT. i PRAY FOR STRENGTH FOR YOU, KELLY & YOUR
DAUGHTER & yOU WILL FIND HAPPY MEMORIES WILL COMFORT YOU - HUGS TO ALL OF
YOU. kATIE
Dear John, Kelly and Ella......I cried when I heard the news about your
son. I've never written a public note like this ; however, John, you have
always struck me as one of the most sincere, authentic stars of our
time......a caring person, and loving father. The pics of the family are
beautiful! I can't imagine the grief and shock you must all feel right now.
Jett didn't die in vain. This is yet another reminder to us all to savor
every single moment with our children and grandchilldren! I love Jett's
smile! My prayers are with you all, and may you find peace in your hearts.
A day at a time , and you will get thru. Much love, Susan M.
My heart aches for your family over the loss of your sweet boy Jett. I
have an 18 yr old special needs son who looks just like Jett. The way you
held him and guided him in all the photos and videos I've seen is all too
familiar. Every time I see his picture on tv, he just oozes sweetness and
pure love. He is in the arms of the Lord and is safe now. The world knows
what wonderful parents you were to him, and so does he. God bless you all,
and keep you, and give you the grace to get through this tragedy.
My heart is broken for this loving family. How sad and how helpless they
must all feel. My prayers are with them. There are no words for times
like these. Hold on to your family & friends any minute can be the last.
I feel as if I am mouring a friend myself. Such dear people and so much
loss. I hope the press will leave them in peace.