Actress Kaylee Hottle, best known for playing Jia in the Godzilla film series, has died in a car accident. She was 18 years old. According to reports, the accident happened on Tuesday in Frederick, Maryland. Her father, Joshua Hottle, shared the news through a Facebook livestream in American Sign Language. He also confirmed her death to TMZ, saying that he was travelling from Texas to Maryland to claim her body, according to Variety.
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Kaylee was a senior, also confirmed her death in a statement shared on social media. Kaylee and her father were both deaf and came from a multi generational deaf family.
The school 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.”
The statement further read, “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 also requested people to respect the family’s privacy and avoid spreading unconfirmed information about the accident during this difficult time.
Kaylee made her acting debut as Jia, a deaf orphan who shares a special bond with Kong, in the 2021 film Godzilla vs Kong. The character is cared for by Dr Ilene Andrews, played by Rebecca Hall. Her performance received praise from audiences and critics for bringing warmth and authenticity to the role. Many viewers appreciated seeing meaningful deaf representation in a major Hollywood film.
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.
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She returned to play Jia in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, continuing the character’s story. Her performance earned her a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor, marking an important achievement early in her career.
Although her time in the film industry was short, Kaylee Hottle left a lasting impression through her performances. She inspired many people in the deaf community and became a familiar face to audiences around the world. Her sudden death has deeply saddened fans, friends and members of the entertainment industry, who are remembering her talent, kindness and the positive impact she made at a young age.