Kaylee Hottle, the deaf child star recognized for her role in the blockbuster films "Godzilla vs. Kong" and "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," was laid to rest on Monday in Kyle, Texas. She died tragically on July 21 at the age of 18 in a high-speed car crash in rural Maryland.
Hottle made her feature film debut in the 2021 "Godzilla vs. Kong" as Jia, a young girl who could communicate with King Kong through sign language. Her portrayal of the character, who shared a special bond with the giant ape, garnered significant attention. In "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" (2024), she reprised her role, further cementing her place in the MonsterVerse franchise.
The accident occurred when the vehicle she was a passenger in veered off the road at high speeds and struck a culvert. Investigations by law enforcement indicate that excessive speed is believed to be a factor in the crash. The driver, a 19-year-old male, was not found to be impaired by alcohol, according to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office. Results from a drug test on the driver are pending. The investigation has ruled out alcohol impairment as a cause for the crash, and Hottle's manner of death has been classified as accidental.
According to reports, Hottle was visiting a friend in Maryland at the time of her death. Neither the driver nor the other male passenger in the 1995 Honda Accord were known to her parents. Her father, Joshua Hottle, who is also deaf, shared the news of his daughter's passing via a Facebook livestream, describing the difficult journey to claim her body. He stated that his daughter's heart had stopped on the way to the hospital following the accident.
Memorial services were held to honor Hottle. A service took place at her high school, the Texas School for the Deaf, featuring a closed casket draped with a school banner and a photo of the actress. Her sister, Jasmine, her father, Joshua, and her classmates delivered tributes. The program included a musical prelude with an American Sign Language interpreter. A funeral service followed on Monday, where her white casket was interred in Kyle, Texas.
Beyond her film roles, Hottle appeared in an episode of "Magnum P.I." and participated in commercials and public service announcements for organizations supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, including Glide and Convo Relay. She was also featured in "10 Deaf Children: One Powerful Message." An athlete, she was a member of her school's track and field team.
Hottle's co-star Alexander Skarsgard praised her professionalism and on-screen presence in a 2021 interview, calling her the "star of the movie" and noting her comfort in front of the camera. Hottle herself spoke about the challenges and rewards of her role, particularly in translating spoken dialogue into ASL and teaching her castmates sign language.
Autopsy results confirmed Hottle's cause of death was from multiple blunt force injuries. The family is awaiting further information as the investigation continues.