John Travolta extortion threat

Jan 21, 2009, 9:35 GMT

(FILE) A file picture dated 27 February 2007 showing US actors John Travolta (L) and wife Kelly Preston (2-R) arrive with their daughter Ella and her friend Cate (far R) According to media reports on 02 January 2009, the couple\'s 16-year-old son Jett died at the family\'s vacation home in the Bahamas when suffering a seizure while he was in the bathtub and fell, fatally hitting his head. EPA/PAUL BUCK

John Travolta has asked police to investigate extortion threats made against his family.

The actor - whose 16-year-old son Jett died on January 2 after suffering a seizure while on holiday with his family in the Bahamas - is yet to release full details of the plot, but it is believed demands for money were made following Jett's death.

The family's attorneys Mike Ossi and Howard Butler released a statement saying: "Regrettably, in a time of such terrible grief, there are often a few individuals who attempt to make false claims in hopes of making millions of dollars. We will never let that happen."

Bahamas-based newspaper The Tribune has reported police are questioning two people, one believed to be a politician, in relation to the investigation.

It has been claimed the plot centres around a photograph of Jett which someone is attempting to make public.

Following his death, Jett was cremated and his remains flown back to Florida. His family held a garden memorial service at their Ocala home to remember him.

The couple have since issued a letter to the people of Ocala thanking them for their support during an "impossibly painful situation".

Part of the letter reads: "The enormous amount of love, support and condolence we have received from this community has been most humbling. Comforting words, thoughts and prayers of Ocala's citizens have made an impossibly painful situation a little less painful."