Tom Cruise describes the unexpected death of friend John Travolta’s son as “horrific” in an appearance on “The View” scheduled to air Friday.

Cruise struggled to maintain his composure as he spoke about last week’s death of 16-year-old Jett Travolta.

“John just adored him, both of his children,” Cruise said haltingly during his appearance, taped Thursday. “It’s something that I don’t have the words for.” The Travoltas have an 8-year-old daughter, Ella Bleu.

In response to a question from “The View” host Barbara Walters, Cruise defended Scientology, which he and the Travoltas follow, saying the church doesn’t discourage conventional medical care.
“Actually, the exact opposite,” he said.

Jett died Jan. 2 at the family vacation home in Grand Bahama. Results of an autopsy performed Monday were not released, but a Bahamas undertaker said the teen’s death certificate listed “seizure” as the cause of death.

Travolta and his wife, Kelly Preston, were expected to host a private memorial service Thursday for their son at their home in a central Florida gated community.

(source:chicagotribune)