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Kaylee Hottle, the young actress who captured hearts as Jia in the Godzilla vs. Kong franchise, has died following a car accident in Maryland. She was 19.
Her father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed the news in a Facebook livestream on July 21, signing in American Sign Language as he explained the tragic circumstances. "I am taking a flight that I never would like to take," he wrote in the caption, sharing that he was traveling from Texas to claim his daughter's body.
Authorities told him Kaylee's heart had stopped en route to the hospital after the crash.
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Kaylee was a senior, also released a statement: "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. Our hearts are with Kaylee's family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time."
Born in Atlanta in 2007 and raised in Austin, Kaylee came from a multigenerational deaf family. She began acting at nine, appearing in commercials supporting the deaf community before landing her breakout role in Godzilla vs. Kong (2021).
Her character Jia, a deaf orphan who communicates with Kong through sign language, resonated deeply with audiences. She reprised the role in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024), earning a Saturn Award nomination for Best Performance by a Younger Actor.
Kaylee spoke about the importance of authentic representation. "Deaf people are aware of their own language and they're more familiar with the culture," she explained in a 2021 interview. In 2024, she told Houston Chronicle, "There's not a lot of deaf roles or opportunities out there. And so now we're able, [and] I'm able to get them, and I think I've seen more and more growth and positivity."
Friends, fans, and members of the deaf community have shared tributes, remembering her as "brilliant and kind" and a role model for CODAs and deaf youth worldwide.
