Godzilla vs Kong star Kaylee Hottle cause of death confirmed as multiple ‘blunt force injuries’
A cause of death has been released for Godzilla vs Kong star Kaylee Hottle, who died at the age of 18 from a car crash earlier this month.
Hottle had been involved in a car crash in the city of Frederick, Maryland, yesterday (21 July) and her dad Joshua Hottle shared the sad news that she had died en route to the hospital.
"I am taking a flight that I never would like to take," he said in American Sign Language, referencing his flight from Texas to Maryland to claim his daughter's body.
The Sun reports that the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner told them the 18-year-old's cause of death had been determined and the experts were sure her death was accidental.
They said: "The manner is accident and the cause is multiple blunt force injuries."
Frederick County Sheriff's Office said they and the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services responded to a fatal single-vehicle crash on Windsor Road in Ijamsville, Maryland.
The vehicle was a 1995 Honda Accord, driven by a 19-year-old man, and there were two passengers onboard, one of whom was Hottle.
Police said the vehicle 'travelled off the right side of the two-lane roadway and struck a culvert', adding 'excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor'.
The driver was transported to hospital with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening, while the first passenger declined treatment at the scene.
The statement went on: "Hottle was transported from the scene to an area trauma center, where she was later pronounced deceased.
"The crash remains under investigation by the Frederick County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit. Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information related to this investigation is asked to contact Dfc. Rose at 301-600-1046."
Hottle was originally born in Georgia, but moved to Texas at a young age and attended Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, they were among the many to pay tribute to her following news of her death.
They said: “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.”
Hottle made her film debut in Godzilla vs Kong where she played Jia, a character who communicated with cinema's most famous monkey in sign language.
Her co-star in the film Alexander Skarsgård learned sign language so he could communicate with her on set, and many of her fellow co-stars paid tributes of their own to her memory.
Stars share tributes to Kaylee Hottle
Millie Bobby Brown
Brown, who appeared in 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters in 2019 and 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, posted a snap of Hottle on her Instagram Story.
“I’m so devastated to hear this. You will be deeply missed Kaylee,” she wrote.
Rebecca Hall
Hall, who worked with Hottle on 2024’s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, shared a number of snaps of them together.
“Devastated to hear this news. My heart goes out to your family. You will be missed Kaylee,” she wrote in the caption.
Dan Stevens
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire actor Stevens posted a tribute to Hottle on his Instagram Story along with a broken heart emoji.
Marlee Matlin
Posting a pic of herself, Hottle and actress Shoshannah Stern, Matlin - who was the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award - said: “I am absolutely gutted about the passing of sweet Kaylee Hottle. May her beauty and talent be a memory for eternity.”
Shoshannah Stern
The star also penned a tribute, writing: “I am heartbroken. My deepest sympathies to the Hottle family.”
Legendary Pictures
The American production company behind the Godzilla films said in a statement: “We are devastated by the tragic passing of Kaylee Hottle. Through her unforgettable portrayal of Jia, Kaylee brought extraordinary heart, humanity, and light to Godzilla, Kong, and the Monsterverse. She was a cherished member of our film family, and her kindness, warmth, and remarkable talent touched everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her. Our hearts are with her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her during this unimaginably difficult time.”
Joe Harker