The film world is mourning the loss of Kaylee Hottle. The deaf actress became known to audiences around the world for her role as Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong and later Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. She has died at the age of 18. Her father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed her death following a serious car accident in Maryland, according to TMZ. In a heartbreaking livestream shared in sign language, he revealed that he had to travel from Texas to bring his daughter’s body home.

Kaylee Hottle Died After a Car Accident in Maryland

According to current reports, the crash happened in the early morning hours in Ijamsville, Maryland. Authorities believe it was a single-vehicle accident. A 19-year-old driver reportedly lost control of a Honda Accord before crashing into a roadside ditch or culvert. Excessive speed is believed to have been a contributing factor. Kaylee Hottle was rushed to a trauma center, where she was later pronounced dead. The driver suffered injuries that, according to initial reports, were not life-threatening. Another passenger declined medical treatment at the scene.

Kaylee Hottle Played Jia in Two Major Films

The young actress found worldwide recognition through the MonsterVerse. In Godzilla vs. Kong, she portrayed Jia, a girl from Skull Island who communicates with Kong through sign language. The character became one of the story’s emotional highlights. She later reprised the role in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Beyond those films, Kaylee also appeared in an episode of the Magnum P.I. reboot. Her performance in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire earned her a Saturn Award nomination for Best Young Performer in a Film.

A Deaf Actress From a Multigenerational Deaf Family

Kaylee Hottle was from Atlanta and grew up in a multigenerational Deaf family. She later attended the Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, where she was a senior. Before launching her film career, she appeared in commercials created for the Deaf community. One advertisement for a video relay service ultimately became the breakthrough that launched her acting career.