Kaylee Hottle, the deaf actor best known for playing Jia in Godzilla vs Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has passed away. She was 18. Hottle died on Tuesday, July 21 following a car accident in Frederick, Maryland. Her father, Joshua Hottle, shared the news during a Facebook livestream in American Sign Language and later confirmed it to TMZ. According to her father, first responders treated her at the scene before she was taken to a hospital. Her heart reportedly stopped while she was being transported, and doctors were unable to revive her. Authorities have not released more details about the crash. School Pays Tribute The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a senior, also confirmed her death in a statement on social media. “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 said. “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.” About Kaylee Hottle Kaylee and her father were both deaf and came from a multi-generational deaf family. She gained global recognition for her role as Jia — the young deaf girl who communicates with Kong — in the MonsterVerse films. Her performance was widely praised for its heart and authenticity. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and fans. Post navigation iPhone 18 Pro & iPhone 18 Pro Max: Rumored Price, Specs, Launch Date And Everything We Know So Far
