Kaylee Hottle cause of death revealed after Godzilla x Kong star dies aged 18
The young actress, best known for her role as Jia, has died after a car crash, with authorities confirming the cause of death as new details emerge.
Kaylee Hottle, the young actress best known for her role as Jia in the Godzilla x Kong franchise, has died aged 18.
Hottle was killed in a car crash on July 21, her father Joshua Hottle confirmed. He said she was involved in the accident and died while being transported to hospital.
A day later, authorities confirmed her cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death an accident.
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Investigators believe speed may have been a contributing factor.
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 3am.
Hottle’s father shared the devastating news in a video posted in American Sign Language, explaining he was travelling to collect his daughter’s body.
Born into a multi-generational Deaf family, Hottle was part of a strong Deaf community. Her acting career began after she appeared in an advertisement for a sign language app in 2017.
She went on to make her film debut in 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, starring alongside Alexander Skarsgård and Millie Bobby Brown.
Hottle reprised the role in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and was nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Younger Performer.
She also appeared in an episode of Magnum P.I. as her career continued to grow.
Tributes have begun flowing for the young star, remembered for both her talent and her impact as a Deaf performer in Hollywood.
Millie Bobby Brown paid tribute to her co-star on social media, writing, “I’m so devastated to hear this,” Brown wrote over a black-and-white shot of a young Hottle acting in the 2021 blockbuster.
“You will be deeply missed Kaylee.”
The Texas School for the Deaf said it learned of Hottle’s death with “profound sadness”, adding, “Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time.”
The school also urged people to respect the family’s privacy and “not speculate about the crash”.
