Topics: Millie Bobby Brown, Celebrity, US News
Millie Bobby Brown has paid tribute to her Godzilla vs. Kong co-star Kaylee Hottle after the 18-year-old died this week in a tragic car accident.
Hottle, a deaf actress who starred as Jia in two of the monster franchise's hit films, had been travelling on Windsor Road in Ijamsville, Maryland, in a car that swerved into a culvert at high speed just before 3am.
Her father, Joshua, broke the heartbreaking news of her passing in a 23-minute Facebook livestream on Monday (20 Jul), using American Sign Language to convey the message. He later confirmed the incident in a statement to TMZ.
In the clip, Joshua shared that officials had contacted him to confirm the crash, explaining that Hottle's heart had stopped while she was being rushed to the hospital, after which he flew out to Maryland to retrieve her.
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Tributes have since poured in from friends of Hottle, including film star Millie Bobby Brown, with whom she starred in the dinosaur flick.
Brown, 22, took to Instagram on Tuesday, where she shared a black and white photo of her young castmate.
"I’m so devastated to hear this," the Stranger Things star wrote. "You will be deeply missed, Kaylee."
Hottle first appeared as teenager and Skull Island resident Jia in 2021, with co-star Rebecca Hall playing her on-screen adoptive mother, Dr Ilene Andrews, who uses ASL to communicate with Kong.
The rising star reprised the role of Jia three years later for Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire.
Law enforcement in the US confirmed the fatal collision had involved a single vehicle, with Fredrick County Sheriff's Department revealing only Hottle and one other passenger, who'd been driving, were inside.
A spokesperson for the latter said in a statement: "The preliminary investigation revealed that a 1995 Honda Accord, operated by a 19-year-old Frederick man, travelled off the right side of the two-lane roadway and struck a culvert."
They added that 'excessive speed is believed to be a contributing factor in the collision'.
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.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire actor Stevens posted a tribute to Hottle on his Instagram Story along with a broken heart emoji.
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."
The star also penned a tribute, writing: "I am heartbroken. My deepest sympathies to the Hottle family."
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."
