Kaylee Hottle was just 18 years old 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 earned her a quick following. Friends say they remain in disbelief. She kept acting after the film, though choosing less flashy gigs. The crash happened weeks before the news broke publicly on July 21, 2026. National newsrooms ran the story without delay.