Deaf actress broke barriers in film and television roles
Hottle's roles advanced deaf representation in television and major film productions.
Event / Disaster
Kaylee Hottle Death
Kaylee Hottle, 18-year-old deaf actress known for her role as Jia in the Godzilla franchise films, died in a car crash in Maryland when the vehicle struck a culvert at excessive speed. She was recognized for groundbreaking deaf representation in Hollywood.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 22 Jul, 00:15 UTC
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What happened
Kaylee Hottle appeared in "Magnum P.I." television episode
Prior to her major film roles, Hottle appeared in a 2021 television episode of "Magnum P.I."
Driver and second passenger survive Maryland crash with minor injuries
The 19-year-old driver of the vehicle was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Another passenger declined medical treatment at the scene.
Kaylee Hottle cast in upcoming thriller "What Doesn't Kill Us"
Hottle was listed as appearing in the upcoming film "What Doesn't Kill Us," which was in pre-production at the time of her death.
Kaylee Hottle, 18-year-old deaf actress, dies in Maryland car crash
Kaylee Hottle, an 18-year-old deaf actress known for starring in "Godzilla vs. Kong" and "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," died following a car crash in Frederick County, Maryland. The crash occurred around 2:52 a.m. on Tuesday on Windsor Road in Ijamsville when a 1995 Honda Accord driven by a 19-year-old Frederick man traveled off the right side of a two-lane roadway and struck a culvert. Hottle was one of three passengers in the vehicle.
Kaylee Hottle portrayed deaf character communicating with Kong via sign language
In "Godzilla vs. Kong" (2021) and "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" (2024), Hottle played Jia, an orphaned deaf girl who forms a special bond with Kong and communicates with the creature using American Sign Language. Hottle was a native signer of ASL and came from a multigenerational deaf family.
Excessive speed identified as contributing factor in fatal crash
Investigators determined that excessive speed was a contributing factor in the car crash that killed Kaylee Hottle. The vehicle struck a culvert after traveling off the right side of the roadway.
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2 alternative perspectives
18-year-old actress killed in Maryland crash at excessive speed
18-year-old deaf actress Kaylee Hottle killed in Maryland crash driven at excessive speed.