Young Actress who Played Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong and Sequel Dies Aged 18

[obsidian]

Wow, so young! Car crash. RIP





https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/movies/articles/kaylee-hottle-played-jia-godzilla-153352319.html

Kaylee Hottle, Who Played Jia in Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, Dies Aged 18

Godzilla vs. Kong actress Kaylee Hottle has died aged 18.

The deaf actress, who played Jia in 2021's Godzilla vs. Kong and its 2024 sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, was killed in a car accident in the early hours of Tuesday morning in Ijamsville, Maryland, TMZ reported. Her father, Joshua Hottle, announced the news in a livestream on Facebook via American Sign Language, while traveling to Texas to claim her body.

According to a release from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, Hottle was one of two passengers, in addition to the driver, who were in the vehicle at the time of the collision. Police said the preliminary investigation revealed that a 1995 Honda Accord, operated by a 19-year-old Frederick man, traveled off the right side of the two-lane roadway and struck a culvert. Excessive speed "is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision," police said.

The driver was transported to a local hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. One passenger declined medical treatment at the scene. Hottle was transported from the scene to an area trauma center, where she was later pronounced deceased.

Hottle, from Atlanta, Georgia, comes from a multi-generational deaf family. Texas School for the Deaf, which Hottle attended, shared the news in a post on Instagram.

"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," reads the statement.

"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."

Hottle had appeared in a number of commercials aimed at supporting deaf children before she landed a role in Legendary Pictures' Monsterverse. She played Jia, one of the last remaining members of the Iwi tribe of Hollow Earth and Skull Island, who was adopted by Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) and forms a bond with Kong. The character is deaf and communicates with the giant gorilla via ASL. She reprised the role in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

In 2024, Hottle credited the video relay service app Convo with helping launch her film career. She told Chron she used it to communicate with fellow cast and crew members and even appeared in a 2017 ad for the company.

"I had a connection with Convo. They asked me to be in a commercial one day, and so I did that commercial," she said. "And then the assistant director of [Kong: Skull Island] saw me and they thought I matched the character description of Jia."

The crash remains under investigation by the Frederick County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information related to this investigation is asked to contact Dfc. Rose at 301-600-1046.

Photo by Stewart Cook/Getty Images for Warner Bros.

Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

IGN and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.

[beakdoctor]

A 19 year old kid from Frederick in a 95 Honda Accord driving recklessly and speeding.

[Irongrip400]

Both of those movies were supposed to be on TNT tonight and instead it was basketball shooting competition.

[Bevo]

Wow! Sad

But hanging with a 19 yr old that’s driving a POS 95 Honda accord, really???

[obsidian]

Wow! Sad

But hanging with a 19 yr old that’s driving a POS 95 Honda accord, really???

Yes I thought that as well. Also, the grim reaper came for her. The other occupants had minor or no injuries. WTF?! Was she riding on the hood?

According to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office and multiple news reports:This was a single-vehicle crash involving a 1995 Honda Accord driven by a 19-year-old man.
Hottle was one of two passengers (three people total in the car).
The car veered off the road and struck a culvert around 2:52–3 a.m. on Windsor Road in Ijamsville.
She was transported to a trauma center and pronounced dead there.
The driver sustained minor injuries.
The other passenger declined treatment.

[pamith]

Yes I thought that as well. Also, the grim reaper came for her. The other occupants had minor or no injuries. WTF?! Was she riding on the hood?

According to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office and multiple news reports:This was a single-vehicle crash involving a 1995 Honda Accord driven by a 19-year-old man.
Hottle was one of two passengers (three people total in the car).
The car veered off the road and struck a culvert around 2:52–3 a.m. on Windsor Road in Ijamsville.
She was transported to a trauma center and pronounced dead there.
The driver sustained minor injuries.
The other passenger declined treatment.

Brutal if true! why would she be riding on the hood like that???

[Humble Narcissist]

Wow! Sad

But hanging with a 19 yr old that’s driving a POS 95 Honda accord, really???

He told her to buckle up but she didn't hear him.