Kaylee Hottle remembered by 'Godzilla' co-stars Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall after tragic death

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND: The entertainment world is in mourning following the tragic passing of 18-year-old actress Kaylee Hottle, who captured hearts around the globe with her breakout role as Jia in 'Godzilla vs Kong' and its sequel 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire'.

Hottle was a talented young deaf actress who brought genuine emotion to big-budget Hollywood films. Her sudden death at the age of 18 shocked her co-stars. Actresses Millie Bobby Brown and Rebecca Hall shared emotional tributes to honor the young actress's life and work.

Kaylee Hottle remembered by 'Godzilla' co-stars

Hottle's former co-stars paid heartfelt tributes on social media after learning of her tragic death, remembering the young actress for the warmth and joy she brought both on and off the set.

Millie Bobby Brown honored her 'Godzilla vs Kong' co-star by sharing a black-and-white photo of Hottle on her Instagram Stories. Alongside the image, Brown expressed her heartbreak, writing, "I'm so devastated to hear this. You will be deeply missed Kaylee."

Rebecca Hall, who portrayed Hottle's adoptive mother, Dr Ilene Andrews, throughout the 'Godzilla' franchise, also reflected on their time together.

Sharing several behind-the-scenes photos of the pair from filming, Hall paid an emotional tribute, writing, "Devastated to hear this news. My heart goes out to your family. You will be missed, Kaylee."

How Kaylee Hottle died in Maryland crash

Hottle tragically lost her life in a single-vehicle car crash early Tuesday morning, July 21, in Frederick County, Maryland. According to the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, emergency responders were dispatched to Windsor Road at approximately 2:52 am.

Preliminary findings indicate that a 1995 Honda Accord, driven by a 19-year-old male, veered off the right side of the two-lane road and struck a culvert before coming to a stop.

Hottle was one of two passengers in the vehicle. She was transported to a nearby trauma center following the crash, where she was later pronounced dead. 

In an emotional video shared in American Sign Language, Hottle's father, Joshua Hottle, confirmed the heartbreaking news and revealed that his daughter suffered cardiac arrest while she was being transported to the hospital.

His message prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans, members of the Deaf community, and admirers of Hottle's work on screen.

The 19-year-old driver was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the second passenger declined medical treatment at the scene.

Investigators believe excessive speed was a significant contributing factor in the crash, though the incident remains under active investigation as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.