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‘We are heartbroken,’ Travolta says of late son

Actor thanks fans, friends for wishes of condolence after Jett's death

Video
  ‘Trying’ time for the Travoltas
Jan. 5: TODAY’s Meredith Vieira talks to Obie Wilchcombe, a member of the Bahamian parliament, about the tragic death of John Travolta’s 16-year-old son, Jett.

Today show

Video
  Details emerge in death of Travolta’s son
Jan. 4: John Travolta’s lawyers say the actor’s  16-year-old son Jett, who died after hitting his head on the bathtub, was under constant supervision, and believe his death to be a heartbreaking accident.

Today show

Access Hollywood
updated 9:34 a.m. ET Jan. 5, 2009

NASSAU, Bahamas - The Travolta family posted a message on their Web site, Travolta.com, on Sunday, thanking well-wishers for their support following the death of their son, Jett, on Friday morning.

“We would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to everyone who has sent their love and condolences,” the note read.

“Jett was the most wonderful son that two parents could ever ask for and lit up the lives of everyone he encountered. 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.

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“We have received many messages of condolence from around the world and we want to thank everyone for their prayers and support,” the message continued. “It has meant so much to us. It is a beautiful reminder of the inherent goodness of the human spirit that gives us hope for a brighter future.”

The message is signed John, Kelly and Ella — the Travoltas’ 8-year-old daughter.

Video
  Travolta family statement on son's death
Jan. 4: John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston issue a family statement on the loss of their 16 year old son Jett.

MSNBC

Among those messages of condolences was one from the Kawasaki Disease Foundation, which Access Hollywood received on Sunday morning. Jett suffered from the rare disease.

“The members, families and supporters of the Kawasaki Disease Foundation wish to express our sympathies to the Travoltas on the loss of their son, Jett,” the Foundation said in a statement to Access. “We also extend our condolences to the families of the countless children who have been claimed by Kawasaki Disease. Although we do not know the cause of Jett Travolta’s passing, we are aware that he had KD as a child, which like other KD children, made him special in the hearts of other KD families who know first hand the challenges our children face. The loss of any child, whether in the days and weeks after having KD, or years later, is tragic.”

Jett, who was 16, passed away on Friday while on vacation in the Bahamas with his family. He is thought to have suffered a seizure and hit his head on the bathtub.

According to the New York Daily News, John attempted to save his son’s life, administering CPR and calling out to an arriving emergency medical technician for assistance after Jett was discovered on the bathroom floor by one of his two nannies.

“Help me! Help me! I’m losing him!” Travolta reportedly said.

Michael Ossi, the family’s lawyer, told Access on Friday that Jett had a “history of seizures.”

An autopsy will be conducted by two pathologists on Monday. Following that, Jett’s body will be flown to Florida for a likely burial in Ocala, where the Travoltas own a home, in the middle of the week.

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