John Travolta holds family 'tighter'

John Travolta's family has been brought closer together by the tragic death of 16-year-old son Jett earlier this year.

The Hollywood actor was left devastated when his beloved boy died in January following a seizure but it has made him appreciate the importance of wife Kelly Preston and nine-year-old daughter Ella.

The 'Pulp Fiction' star's assistant and friend Ronnie Zupancic said: "They think about Jett every day, they never stop. They recognise the fragility of life, and they all hold each other a little tighter now.

"It doesn't wear off. Jett is still with them. It's like it was yesterday. He's got a heavy heart. There is a hole."

On Wednesday (21.10.09), Travolta's extortion case - in which two men were accused of trying to get £18 million from the star following the death of Jett - ended in a mistrial, leaving him "upset" as the family is keen to move on.

His lawyer Mike Ossi said: "He was upset as he wanted closure. The family wants to privately begin the long and difficult healing process - as well as to properly honour Jett's memory - without the cloud of this litigation over their heads. But he said he is committed to cooperating with authorities so justice can be served."

Paramedic Tarino Lightbourne - who was one of the medical team who treated 16-year-old Jett before he died in January - and his co-accused, former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater, allegedly demanded the huge sum from Travolta and threaten to sell a story claiming the couple "intentionally killed" their son.

Senior Justice Anita Allen - who was overseeing the case - was forced to make the decision after a speech broadcast on the TV and radio hinted the jury would acquit one of the defendants.