SerpApi.Org
Kaylee Hottle, the 18-year-old actress best known for her breakthrough roles in Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has died following a tragic car accident in Maryland.
TMZ first reported news of the young star's death on Tuesday, July 21. Hottle's father, Joshua, confirmed to the publication details about his daughter's passing. He also shared a video on Facebook explaining Kaylee's accident using American Sign Language, informing the public that he was taking a flight from Texas to Maryland to claim his daughter's body.
He captioned the video by writing, "I am taking a flight that I never would like to take."
Per TMZ, Kaylee was involved in a serious car accident on the morning of July 21, passing away while en route to a local hospital.
Kaylee and her parents are active members of the Deaf community, with Hottle's alma mater, the Texas School for the Deaf, sharing their heartfelt reaction to the star's death.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news that one of our TSD seniors, Kaylee Hottle, tragically passed away yesterday in a car accident in Frederick, Maryland,” the school shared on Facebook. “Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time.”
“At this time, we have very limited information and ask that everyone respect the privacy of Kaylee’s family and refrain from sharing or speculating about the circumstances surrounding the accident,” the institution continued.
Hottle's career first began in a 2017 ad for the ASL translation app, Convo. Later that same year, the producers behind 2017's Kong: Skull Island eyed Hottle for the role of Jia, a young orphan who forms an unlikely bond with King Kong.
Hottle later appeared in 2021's Godzilla vs. Kong opposite Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Brian Tyree Henry and Rebecca Hall. Hottle would later reprise her role in 2024's Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
