Godzilla vs. Kong star Kaylee Hottle dead at 18

KAYLEE Hottle has died at just 18 after suffering fatal injuries in a car accident, The U.S. Sun can report. Kaylee was a deaf actress best known for playing Jia in the Godzilla movies. Kaylee Hottle has died at the age of 18 Credit: Getty Images Kaylee played Jia in Godzilla Credit: Alamy Fredrick, Maryland enforcement sources confirmed to The U.S. Sun that Kaylee was involved in a fatal accident, and they remain on the scene at this time. Her father, Joshua Hottle, first revealed the tragic news of her passing on Tuesday. Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! He emotionally announced the heart-breaking news in a 23-minute-long live stream on Facebook. In the caption of the stream, he penned: “I am taking a flight that I never would like to take.” Kaylee was spotted in a commercial which led to her landing the role of Jia in the Godzilla movies Credit: Getty She appeared in the 2021 and 2024 Godzilla films Credit: Getty Explaining in American Sign Language, he revealed that he had to fly to Maryland to claim her body after being notified of her death. He revealed that Kaylee was involved in a serious car accident, and officials called him to notify him that her heart stopped on the way to the hospital. Her former school, Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, Texas, later went on to release a statement in the wake of Kaylee’s death. Taking to social media, they penned: “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. Most read in Entertainment “Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time. “At this time, we have very limited information and ask that everyone respect the privacy of Kaylee’s family and refrain from sharing or speculating about the circumstances surrounding the accident. “We recognize this loss will have a significant impact on our TSD community. “Counseling and support services are available for students and staff who may need them, with additional support being provided for Kaylee’s classmates and friends. “Please keep Kaylee’s loved ones in your thoughts as we mourn this tremendous loss together.” Fans have also paid tribute to Kaylee on social media, with many writing heartfelt messages. “This hurts so much, she had so much future ahead, RIP Kaylee Hottle….. Kong will miss you Jia,” penned one person. “18 years old. That’s the part that hits the hardest. One moment you’re building a career. The next, the world is remembering you. Life is incredibly fragile. Rest in peace, Kaylee Hottle,” wrote a second. While a third penned: “Far too young. She made that role her own in a way nobody else could have. Sending love to her family.” Kaylee was born in 2007 to an all-deaf family. She was fluent in American Sign Language. Her career kicked off in 2017 for a commercial for the video relay service Convo. Her big break then came when she landed the role of Jia in the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong. Casting-director Sarah Halley Finn was looking for a deaf actress for the deaf character and was guided to Kaylee by an assistant director who saw her in the Convo commercial. After her success in the 2021 flick, she reprised her role as Jia for the 2024 film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. For her second Godzilla movie stint, she was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor at the 52nd Saturn Awards. Kaylee is also credited with an appearance in the Magnum P.I. reboot series. In this show, she played a character named Joon in a season 4 episode. Comment now