Life & Style | People
Travolta's farewell kiss
We will cherish the time we had with him for the rest of our lives, says John Travolta
- Staff Report
- Published: 23:58 January 6, 2009
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
- Jett, who was widely rumoured to suffer from autism, was diagnosed as a child with Kawasaki disease and had a history of seizures.
A "heartbroken" John Travolta has spoken out for the first time since the death of his teenage son while on a family holiday in the Bahamas last Friday. 16-year-old Jett died after hitting his head on the bath at the family's holiday home on Grand Bahama.
"We are heartbroken that our time with him was so brief. We will cherish the time we had with him for the rest of our lives," Travolta and Preston, who also have an eight-year-old daughter Ella Bleu, said in a statement on Travolta's website, reports timesonline.co.uk.
"Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered."
Jett, who was widely rumoured to suffer from autism, was diagnosed as a child with Kawasaki disease and had a history of seizures. The disease, which is also known as lymph node syndrome, is most prominent in young children and causes heart damage and inflamed blood vessels.
Travolta, 54, was said to be devoted to his son, who received around the clock care by nurses and his movie star parents. Travolta's family lawyer Mike Ossi told People magazine that the devastated star had unsuccessfully tried to revive his son and was so distraught he had to be physically prised from Jett's body.
"He didn't want anything to happen to that boy, and he kept on trying to revive him," Ossi said. "He did mouth-to-mouth until they had to physically remove John to take Jett to the hospital."
"He always said ‘I'm happy as long as my kids are happy.' He is heartbroken… To bury your son is the worst thing you can ever do," said Ossi, who is in the Bahamas with the actor.
Mike McDermott, Travolta's corporate counsel, said: "John did everything in his power to revive [his son]. John and Jett had a very strong relationship. Words cannot explain how close they were. This will take a lot of time. His life will never be the same again."
Travolta, 54, a trained pilot, told friends he wished to fly Jett on his final journey, reports thesun.co.uk.
Seizure claimed Jett Travolta
John Travolta's teenage son Jett officially died from a seizure, according to sources at the funeral home where the boy's body was kept over the weekend. Pathologists conducting autopsy have yet to comment on the official cause of death, but the assistant director of the Bahamas funeral home has told TMZ.com they concluded he died from a seizure. Jett Travolta passed away on January 2 and his death certificate lists "seizure" as the cause of death. The teen's body is to be flown back to Florida, where the Travolta family lived, for a funeral.
More from People
More from Life & Style
Covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle
Life & Style editor's choice
-
Ten simple ways to love yourself
Just a few small changes to your day can make a big difference
-
Style story: Make waves with beachwear
Life's a beach in this summer's gorgeous new swimwear
-
2012 Ford Focus: Smashingly good
The all-new Focus turned Imran Malik Hulk-green with rage at one point
