According to airport officials, it was confirmed early this morning that actor John Travolta’s dogs were, indeed, killed on the tarmac of the Bangor International Airport in Maine. The incident occurred this past Thursday and the news story broke this morning about the demise of two of the family canines:

“At approximately 1 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, 2010, an airplane carrying members of the John Travolta family landed at BIA. While there, two small dogs were taken for a walk by someone who is not a family member. An airport service pickup truck was approaching the airplane to service the airplane and did not see the dogs. Unfortunately, the dogs were struck and killed. The airport is investigating the accident. Out of respect for the family’s privacy the city will make no further comment.”

An email was found by the Bangor Daily News outlining the incident and the aforementioned statement from the City Council confirmed that the two dogs were owned by Travolta and were killed by an airport services pickup truck. The report did not state whether or not the dogs were on leashes.

I really feel for you, John. Even though you’re one of those kooky Scientologists, you seem like a good guy and all-around fabulous actor. My favorite role that you played definitely had to be Bobby Long in A Love Song For Bobby Long. You’re epic and amazing. But shit. Bad stuff, John. It seems like tragedy follows you wherever you go, and for that, I’m sorry.

“It’s meant the world to us. We know that we have a community. We know that we have friends. And we know that we are loved. We appreciate it. Jett appreciates it. We love you, Ocala.”

– John Travolta, in a touching speech to the town of Ocala, Florida before the premiere of his new flick, Old Dogs. John and the rest of the Travolta clan have remained more or less private since the shocking death of their son, Jett, and have been finding refuge in the small Florida town that John considers to be an adopted hometown.

Ugh. This is just awful. Someone is extorting John Travolta for millions of dollars, threatening to release a photo taken of his son Jett as he was dying if the Travoltas don’t pay up.

The extortion plot was revealed as Travolta remained in seclusion at his sprawling home on the Jumbolair estate in central Florida.

Friends say he is still struggling to come to terms with the death of his son.

He has yet to be seen in public, and has rarely ventured from his home into the nearby town of Ocala where he is well known and despite his Hollywood status left alone

The extortion plot is believed to revolve around a photograph of Jett as he lay in the back of an ambulance. It is understood to have been taken on a mobile phone.

The alleged blackmailers are thought to have made contact with Travola and his Florida based lawyers Michael Ossi and Howard Butler.

Source close to the lawyers said Travolta was asked for money to keep the photograph from being sold.

I hope this photo doesn’t exist, and, if it’s released, I hope nobody runs it. Lord knows we certainly won’t. I don’t claim to have a whole lot of morals, but I draw the line at photos of dying teenagers.

This is awful!!!

John Travolta’s 16-year-old son, Jett, has died while on vacation in the Bahamas.

Details are still sketchy, but it appears he died of a seizure after hitting his head on a bathtub.

What’s even stranger is that he was last seen heading into the bathroom yesterday, but his body wasn’t discovered until 10 am today.

Thoughts and prayers are with the Travolta family. This is so terrible!