'Godzilla vs. Kong' actor Kaylee Hottle dead at 18

Kaylee Hottle, an actress who gained recognition for her roles in the "Godzilla" film franchise, has died at the age of 18. Her passing was confirmed by the Texas School for the Deaf, where she was a student. The school stated that Hottle "tragically passed away yesterday in a car accident in Frederick, Maryland."

Her family, who are all deaf, also confirmed her death. Her father, Joshua Hottle, shared a video on Facebook in American Sign Language, with the title "I am taking a flight that I never would like to take."

Authorities reported that the fatal collision occurred early Tuesday morning in Ijamsville, Maryland. A 19-year-old man was driving a 1995 Honda Accord when the vehicle reportedly went off the road and struck a culvert. Excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor.

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Our hearts are with Kaylee’s family, friends, classmates, and everyone who knew and loved her during this incredibly difficult time.

Hottle, a passenger in the vehicle, was pronounced dead after being transported to a local trauma center. The driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries, and another passenger declined medical treatment.

Hottle was widely known for her portrayal of Jia, a deaf orphan who forms a bond with the character Kong, in the 2021 film "Godzilla vs. Kong" and its sequel. She starred alongside actors Alexander Skarsgård and Millie Bobby Brown in these roles.

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I am taking a flight that I never would like to take.