Kaylee Hottle, the young actress who captured audiences as Jia in the Godzilla vs. Kong franchise, has died at 18 after a fatal car crash in Maryland.
The actress’ father, Joshua Hottle, announced the news through a video statement shared on Facebook, communicating in American Sign Language. Authorities said the crash happened early Tuesday morning in Ijamsville, with excessive speed believed to have played a role in the single-vehicle accident. A 19-year-old driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while another passenger declined medical treatment.
Hottle, who was deaf, became widely recognized for her portrayal of Jia, a young orphan in Godzilla vs. Kong (2021), where she starred alongside Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown and Rebecca Hall. She later returned for the 2024 sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, earning a Saturn Award nomination for her performance.
Following news of her passing, the Texas School for the Deaf shared a tribute, remembering Hottle with “profound sadness” and extending support to her loved ones. Warner Bros., the studio behind the monster franchise, also paid tribute to the actress, celebrating her contribution to the films and the impact she made during her young career.
