On the early morning of July 21, 2026, it was reported by Kaylee Hottle’s father, Joshua Hottle, that the actress and MonsterVerse star had sadly passed away following a tragic car accident. She was known to audiences around the world for her role as Jia in the MonsterVerse franchise, appearing in both Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Hottle was born into a multigenerational Deaf family, with both her mother and father being Deaf. Her career began at a young age, appearing in commercials including a notable 2015 campaign for Convo, commemorating International Week of the Deaf.
In 2021, she made her feature-film debut in Godzilla vs. Kong, portraying Jia, a young native survivor of Skull Island whose connection with Kong became a central part of the film’s story. Her performance became and still is well-beloved among fans of the Godzilla and MonsterVerse franchises.
©2021 Warner Bros
She would go on to reprise the role in 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. This reportedly earned her a Saturn Award nomination for Best Performance by a Young Actor in 2025.
The Texas School for the Deaf, where Hottle was a student, released the following statement:
“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.
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.”
The sudden passing of Kaylee Hottle has left a profound sadness throughout the community. Through her portrayal as Jia, she brought a remarkable presence to the franchise, one that will live on for a very long time.
Our thoughts are with her friends, family, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.
