Kaylee Hottle, a deaf actress known for playing Jia in the MonsterVerse films “Godzilla vs. Kong” (2021) and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” (2024), dies at 18 following a car crash in Maryland, US. Multiple outlets report that her father, Joshua Hottle, announces her death and confirms it through American Sign Language, including via a Facebook livestream and comments to media. The reports place the crash in Frederick, Maryland, and describe the incident as occurring on Tuesday, with several sources referencing “Tuesday morning” and the date of July 21. Hottle’s portrayal is widely noted across coverage, including recognition for representing deafness in a mainstream blockbuster franchise. Several outlets also describe her character’s communication in the films through sign language. While details of the crash circumstances are not provided in the excerpts, all sources agree on her age, her roles in the two Godzilla films, and that she dies in a Maryland car accident that is confirmed by her family.