MARYLAND, United States — Kaylee Hottle, the young actress best known for portraying Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has died at the age of 18 following a car accident.
According to reports by Daily Mail, Hottle was involved in a crash in Maryland.
Her father, Joshua Hottle, reportedly confirmed her death, saying she passed away after her heart stopped while she was being transported to hospital.
Hottle, who was born into a deaf family, gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Jia, a young deaf girl who develops a special bond with Kong through American Sign Language in the MonsterVerse films.
Her performance earned her admiration from audiences, with her character serving as an important representation of deaf people in mainstream cinema.
Texas School for the Deaf Mourns Actress
The Texas School for the Deaf, which Hottle attended, also confirmed her death in a heartfelt statement.
The school described her passing as a heartbreaking loss and extended its condolences to her family, friends and members of the deaf community.
The institution also appealed to the public to respect the privacy of Hottle's family as they mourn her sudden death.
Hottle's death at 18 has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans and members of the entertainment community, who have remembered the young actress for her groundbreaking role as Jia and her contribution to deaf representation in Hollywood.