Actress Kaylee Hottle, who was widely known for playing Jia in the Godzilla film series, has died in a car accident. She was 18 years old. The accident took place on Tuesday in Frederick, Maryland, according to reports. The news of her death was confirmed by her father, Joshua Hottle, through a Facebook livestream in American Sign Language. He also confirmed the news to TMZ, saying that he was travelling from Texas to Maryland to claim her body, as reported by Variety.
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Kaylee was a senior, also confirmed her passing through a statement shared on social media. Kaylee and her father were both deaf and belonged to a multi generational deaf family.
The school’s statement said, “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.”
It further added, “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.”
The school requested people to respect the family’s privacy and avoid making assumptions about the accident while they deal with their loss.
Kaylee Hottle became well known after making her film debut as Jia, a deaf orphan who develops a special bond with Kong in the 2021 film Godzilla vs Kong. Her character was cared for by Dr Ilene Andrews, played by Rebecca Hall. Kaylee’s performance received praise for bringing authenticity and emotion to the role, and she quickly became a fan favourite.
Kaylee Hottle, best known for playing Jia in the Godzilla franchise, has died at the age of 18 following a tragic car crash.
— NZ Indian Insights (@NzIndianInsight) July 22, 2026
Her talent and advocacy for Deaf representation inspired audiences around the world.
Read full article link in comments.#KayleeHottle #Godzilla pic.twitter.com/fCyq5Q7jLo
She returned as Jia in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, continuing the character’s story alongside Kong. Her performance in the film earned her a nomination for the Saturn Award in the category of Best Performance by a Younger Actor.
Although her acting career had only just begun, Kaylee Hottle made a lasting impression through her performances and also became an important source of representation for the deaf community in mainstream cinema. News of her death has saddened fans and members of the film industry, who are remembering her for her talent, warmth and the impact she made at such a young age.