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

The deaf actress, who played Jia 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong and 2024 sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, was killed in a car accident on Tuesday morning in in Frederick, 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.

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 shot to stardom after playing Jia, a young orphaned Iwi who was adopted by Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) and forms a kinship bond with Kong. She reprised the role in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.

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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.