Unanswered questions in Travolta's son's death

Unanswered questions in Travolta's son's death

Actor John Travolta and Kelly Preston are back in Florida with the remains of their 16-year-old son.

John and Kelly's son Jett Travolta was found unconscious on Friday in the couple's vacation home in the Bahamas.

An autopsy was performed on Monday.

Popular pathologist Cyril Wecht spoke to Channel 4 Action News' Amber Nicotra about the case and said that questions surrounding the death of Jett Travolta could remain unanswered.

Wecht, who was not involved in the autopsy, said the biggest question that might never be answered is how long the teen had been unconscious.

"The absence of addressing this strongly suggests that the boy was lingering there for some time. Hours, as opposed to minutes, before he was found," said Wecht. "I don't believe this is information that will be shared with the public."

The death certificate said that Jett Travolta died of a seizure.

Although the couple said their son suffered from Kawasaki disease, a condition that affects the skin, mouth and lymph nodes, Wecht does not believe this was a factor in his death.

"Jett was 16 years of age, so Kawasaki syndrome in his case is matter of clinical history and was not a matter of present concern," said Wecht.

The funeral home said there was no sign of trauma, contradicting police reports that said the teen fell and hit his head on a bathtub.

"There was a hematoma, a bump on the scalp, evidently where he fell and bruised his head and bled immediately form beneath the scalp. But that did not produce any intracranial damage, that is, no damage to the brain and no fracture of the skull," Wecht said.

Wecht, however, does suspect the teen had autism -- a speculation the couple has denied.

"There is an increased incidents of convulsive seizure disorder in people who have autism and that may have gone along with this boy's history," said Wecht.

Wecht said there is a lesson in this for all parents with children who suffer with a seizure disorder. Wecht said those children must be closely monitored and their medications be checked so that other families can prevent a tragedy like this.