A cause of death for “Godzilla vs. Kong” star Kaylee Hottle was released Wednesday, one day after the deaf actress was killed in a fatal car collision.
Hottle, 18, died from “multiple blunt force injuries,” the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed to Fox News Digital. Her manner of death was ruled an accident.
Multiple agencies responded to a fatal single-vehicle collision Tuesday before 3 a.m. in Ijamsville, Maryland, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to Fox News Digital. Hottle was identified as one of three people traveling in the vehicle.
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“Hottle was transported from the scene to an area trauma center, where she was later pronounced deceased,” officials said in a statement.
“The preliminary investigation revealed that a 1995 Honda Accord, operated by a 19-year-old Frederick man, traveled off the right side of the two-lane roadway and struck a culvert.”
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Sheriffs confirmed “excessive speed” was believed to be a “contributing factor in the collision.”
“In addition to the driver, two passengers were in the vehicle at the time of the collision,” the department said. “The driver was transported to a local hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. One passenger declined medical treatment at the scene.”
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The department noted that the crash remained under investigation and pleaded for any possible witnesses to contact sheriffs with information.
Her father, Joshua Hottle, shared an emotional video on social media shortly after her death.
“Kaylee’s mom and four siblings are crushed,” her father signed in ASL. “They are together at home, grieving. I am on my way to Maryland to bring Kaylee’s body back home.”
He signed that his daughter’s heart stopped before she arrived at the hospital from the collision.
“Very grateful for the 18 years we had together — and wish we had more,” he signed.
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In addition, Joshua noted that he reached out to the 19-year-old driver.
“I have forgiven you,” he wrote. “Don’t let this incident ruin the rest of your life.”
Born into a multigenerational deaf family, Hottle quickly became a rising talent and an advocate for greater representation in entertainment.
Before landing her first feature film role, she appeared in commercials and advocacy projects promoting deaf awareness.
Hottle portrayed Jia in “Godzilla vs. Kong” and the sequel, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” an orphaned girl who forms a bond with Kong and communicates with the monster by using sign language.
Hottle also appeared in one 2021 television episode of “Magnum P.I.” and was scheduled to appear in the upcoming thriller “What Doesn’t Kill Us.”
