Kaylee Hottle, teen star of Godzilla vs Kong movies, dies in car crash

Tributes are pouring in for the young actress.

Kaylee, who was born deaf, was part of a multigenerational deaf family and was fluent in American Sign Language (ASL).

She played the role of Jia in the hit MonsterVerse films, the young orphan adopted by Dr Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) who formed a special bond with Kong.

Kaylee's father, Joshua, announced her death in a Facebook livestream.

As reported in several outlets, communicating through ASL, Joshua said that his daughter died in a car crash in the US state of Maryland on Tuesday morning (20 July).

Kaylee Hottle in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

According to the grieving father, authorities initially told him that Kaylee had been involved in a serious collision. They later informed him that her heart had stopped while she was being taken to hospital.

Joshua said he was now travelling from Texas to Maryland, with the caption attached to the video reading: "I am taking a flight that I never would like to take."

Tributes have begun to pour in for Kaylee.

The Texas School for the Deaf, which the actress attended, said the following in a social media post: "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.

"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 recognise this loss will have a significant impact on our TSD community. Counselling 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."