Kaylee Hottle, the young deaf actress best known for playing Jia in the Godzilla films, has died after a car accident in Maryland, USA. She was 18 years old.

Kaylee was born in Georgia, USA, and came from a multigenerational Deaf family. She learned American Sign Language (ASL) from a very young age and had a strong connection with the Deaf community.

She began acting as a child and became famous in 2021 after playing Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong. In the film, her character communicates with King Kong using American Sign Language, making their friendship one of the movie's most emotional moments. She returned as Jia in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire in 2024 and had also completed filming an upcoming movie, What Doesn't Kill Us, which is yet to be released.

According to reports, on 21 July, Kaylee was travelling with two others in Frederick, Maryland, when their car left the road and crashed into a concrete culvert. Police believe the 19-year-old driver was speeding, which may have caused the accident.

Kaylee was seriously injured and was airlifted to a hospital. Her father, Joshua Hottle, later said that her heart stopped while she was being taken to the hospital, and she was declared dead.

Her father shared the heartbreaking news through a Facebook Live video in American Sign Language. Her mother, Ketsi Hottle, also posted an emotional message, saying, "I still feel Kaylee is with us."

Kaylee's death has deeply saddened fans and the Deaf community around the world. She will always be remembered for bringing authentic deaf representation to Hollywood and inspiring many deaf children to believe that they, too, can achieve their dreams.

Tags

• kaylee hottle
• deaf actress
• hollywood

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