US actress Kaylee Hottle, best known for playing Jia in the Godzilla vs Kong films, has died in a car crash at the age of 18, BBC reported.
Hottle, who was deaf, portrayed the orphaned character Jia in the 2021 blockbuster Godzilla vs Kong before reprising the role in its 2024 sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Her father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed the news in a video statement posted on Facebook using American Sign Language.
According to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, the fatal single-vehicle crash occurred in Ijamsville, Maryland, at around 2:50am local time on Tuesday. Investigators believe excessive speed was a contributing factor.
Police said the 19-year-old driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while another passenger declined medical treatment at the scene.
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle studied, expressed its grief in a statement shared on Instagram.
“Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time,” the school said.
The school also urged the public to respect the family’s privacy and avoid speculation surrounding the circumstances of the crash.
Warner Bros., which distributed the Godzilla films, also paid tribute to Hottle on X, sharing a photograph of the young actress.
Hottle appeared alongside Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown and Rebecca Hall in Godzilla vs Kong. Her performance in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire earned her a Saturn Award nomination for Best Younger Performer in a Film.
