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Kaylee Hottle, the deaf actress who played Jia in "Godzilla vs. Kong" and "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," has died following a car crash in Maryland. She was 18.
The Frederick County Sheriff's Office said deputies and emergency personnel responded to the single-vehicle crash at approximately 2:52 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, on Windsor Road in Ijamsville.
A preliminary investigation found that a 1995 Honda Accord carrying Hottle and two other people traveled off the right side of the two-lane road and struck a culvert. Investigators believe excessive speed contributed to the crash, although the circumstances remain under investigation.
Hottle was taken to an area trauma center, where she was pronounced dead. The 19-year-old Frederick man driving the vehicle was hospitalized with injuries authorities said were not life-threatening. A second passenger declined medical treatment at the scene.
Kaylee Hottle Played Jia in the MonsterVerse Films
Hottle made her feature-film debut in 2021's "Godzilla vs. Kong." She portrayed Jia, a young deaf girl who communicates with Kong through American Sign Language and develops a powerful emotional connection with the giant ape.
She returned as Jia in the 2024 sequel "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," appearing alongside Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry and Dan Stevens. Her performance earned her a Saturn Award nomination.
Born in the Atlanta area, Hottle came from a multigenerational deaf family and was a native ASL user. As a native ASL user from a multigenerational deaf family, Hottle brought authentic representation to the role.
Hottle was most recently living in Kyle, Texas, and attended the Texas School for the Deaf. The school mourned her death in a statement and said counseling and support would be available to students and staff.
Family and Co-Stars Remember Kaylee Hottle
Hottle's father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed her death in an emotional video shared on Facebook. He remembered his daughter with love and expressed forgiveness toward the young man who was driving.
Tributes also came from Millie Bobby Brown, Alexander Skarsgård, Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur and Alaqua Cox.
Hottle's death prompted an outpouring of grief from "Godzilla" fans and members of the deaf community, many of whom remembered the young actress for bringing warmth and emotional depth to the MonsterVerse films.
The Frederick County Sheriff's Office said its investigation remains ongoing.
Sources: CBS News, Associated Press, Variety
