Two held over alleged Travolta blackmail plot

Police in the Bahamas are holding a senator and a paramedic in connection with an alleged plot to extort money from actor John…

Police in the Bahamas are holding a senator and a paramedic in connection with an alleged plot to extort money from actor John Travolta after the death of his son.

One of the suspects, ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne, was detained yesterday.

Earlier, several tabloids quoted him describing efforts to revive the actor's son Jett (16), who died of a seizure this month at their family home on Grand Bahama.

Authorities did not reveal what the alleged blackmail involved.

Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston returned home to Florida with the ashes of their son, and Travolta's publicist Paul Bloch said last night he had no comment.

Senator Pleasant Bridgewater, a lawyer from Grand Bahama, has been held for questioning since Thursday, senior assistant commissioner of police Marvin Dames said.

Mr Dames said Mr Lightbourne was detained after police issued an alert that he was wanted for attempted extortion, was "considered dangerous and should be approached with caution".

Another member of the Bahamas parliament, Obie Wilchcombe, was helping the investigation.

Mr Dames said Mr Wilchcombe, a friend of the Travolta family, was brought to a police station to help authorities determine what charges, if any, to file against the two suspects.

AP