Travolta Has A 'Heavy Heart' Over Son's Death

The Grease star and his wife Kelly Preston's 16-year-old son died suddenly after suffering a seizure during a family holiday in the Bahamas in January (09).

The couple's loss has made the Travoltas cherish their life together with their nine-year-old daughter Ella, according to a family friend.

Travolta's longtime pal, Ronnie Zupancic, says, "He's got a heavy heart. There is a hole. They think about Jett every day, they never stop. It doesn't wear off. Jett is still with them. It's like it (tragedy) was yesterday. They recognise the fragility of life, and they all hold each other a little tighter now."

The stars' attorney Mike Ossi reveals the couple is putting all their efforts into spending time with Ella and concentrating on the release of movie Old Dogs, which stars all three of them, to help them cope.

He says, "They are spending all their time together. It's Ella's first film and it's a family affair. She is every excited, but John and Kelly are even more excited. They are very proud."

Meanwhile, the family has to relive the events surrounding Jett's death after an extortion trial in the Bahamas was declared a mistrial on Wednesday (21Oct09).

The Travoltas were targeted in an alleged blackmail plot by paramedic Tarino Lightbourne and former Bahamas senator Pleasant Bridgewater following the tragedy.

The suspects face charges of conspiracy to extort $25 million (£17.2 million) from the couple, amid allegations they threatened to release a Refusal of Treatment/Transportation form, which had been signed by Travolta, to the media.

Travolta and Preston were left "disappointed" after the case was declared a mistrial after a juror allegedly leaked information about the jury's decision to local politicians.

Travolta will now have to relive the pain of his son's tragic death for a second time in front of a new jury when the case is retried.