What Caused The Death Of John Travolta's Son?

An autopsy is being performed on the body of John Travolta's late son Jett today, and it could provide answers to what caused the 16-year-old's death. Last Friday, Jett was found in the bathtub of a home in the Bahamas where the Travolta family was vacationing. According to the Associated Press, Jett died after having a seizure and hitting his head on the bathtub.

There has been an outpouring of condolences for John and his family. People are saddened over Jett's death and the loss that the Travolta family has suffered. But there are also questions being raised. Among them: If Jett did have a seizure, what caused it? John and his wife Kelly Preston have long contended that Jett suffered from Kawasaki Syndrome, which caused him to have seizures.

John's brother Joey Travolta, for one, believes that Jett suffered from autism, which has been associated with seizures as well as epilepsy.

In fact, Joey tells the London Mirror that he and his brother have had several arguments about what was wrong with Jett over the years and that John refused to believe that his son had autism because his religion, Scientology, does not recognize the disorder.

Incidentally, Joey made a documentary about autism called Normal People Scare Me for which he interviewed dozens of autistic children. That said, Joey is not a doctor.

While there have been reports that John and his wife refused to give their son medication because of their beliefs as Scientologists, TMZ.com reported early this morning that Jett had indeed been taking a strong anti-seizure medication called Depakote for several years, according to Michael Ossi and Michael McDermott, the Travolta's lawyers. Over time, the drug lost its effectiveness, they contend, and there were concerns that Jett could be suffering physical damage from the medication, so after consulting with neurosurgeons, Jett was taken off the drug.

What do you think of all of this?

Despite what the Travolta family's lawyers have to say, do you believe it is possible that Jett didn't get a proper diagnosis and the medical treatment required because of his parents' belief in Scientology? Do you think there should there be an investigation into how his parents handled their son's medical care? And, ultimately, is any of this for us to judge?

Images courtesy Getty

Comments

[full deck]

Travolta's a scientologist - which was invented by a former used car salesman, L. Ron Hubbard who reached the 34th degree & did not die, but lives on Venus. He later came back to earth to write sorry science fantasy. Why didn't Travolta audit his son & cure him? Or consult with the expert on human behavior and mental disorders, Tom Cruise??? You know that terrible actor who makes million$ & is way-out-of-touch with reality...and fails at how many marriages???? Ever look in the eyes of a scientologist? They look like they're tripping badly on LSD.

[wow judge much?]

Just a lil bit to "full deck" wow, it must be lonely up on that high horse! My heart goes out to the Travolta's losing a child no matter what religion is the hardest thing on earth! I can imagine how John and Kelly feel! Oh my goodness My deepest condolences to the Travoltas and "full deck" try a new deck cause the one you are playing with now sucks!