Kaylee Hottle, who gained recognition for her role as Jia in the film "Godzilla vs. Kong" and its sequel, has died at the age of 18. Her death occurred Tuesday morning in a car crash in Maryland.
Hottle’s mother, Ketsi Hottle, shared a tribute to her daughter on Instagram, calling it a "privilege to be" her mom. Kaylee’s father, Joshua Hottle, also announced her passing, stating he was traveling to Maryland from Texas to claim her body.
The fatal accident involved a 1995 Honda Accord in which Hottle was a passenger. According to reports, the vehicle swerved off the road and into a ditch. Excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor.
The 19-year-old driver of the vehicle sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital. The other passenger declined medical assistance at the scene. The crash is currently under investigation by the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit.
Hottle, who was deaf, began acting at the age of 9. She also had a role on the television series "Magnum P.I." as a character named Joon. Hottle previously expressed the importance of deaf actors portraying deaf characters, noting their understanding of deaf language and culture.
![Kaylee Hottle as Jia in "Godzilla vs. Kong" raising a handmade doll wrapped in vines.]( "Kaylee Hottle as Jia in "Godzilla vs. Kong"")
A GoFundMe campaign established to support Hottle’s family with funeral expenses and other needs has surpassed its $20,000 goal.
Hottle was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Austin, Texas, where she attended the Texas School for the Deaf.