Kaylee Hottle was only eighteen when a car crash in California claimed her life last month. She played young Jia in the 2021 monster movie Godzilla vs. Kong. The role won her fans almost overnight. Friends say they remain in disbelief. She kept acting after the film, though choosing less flashy gigs. The crash happened weeks before the news came to light on July 21, 2026. National newsrooms ran the story in short order.