Millie Bobby Brown said she was “devastated” after Kaylee Hottle's death at 18, following a car crash in Maryland early Tuesday. Brown, who starred with Hottle in two MonsterVerse films, shared a black-and-white image of the young actress from their 2021 film on Instagram Stories.

“I’m so devastated to hear this,” Brown wrote to her followers. “You will be deeply missed Kaylee.”

How Brown and Hottle worked together

Brown and Hottle first appeared together in Godzilla vs. Kong, released in 2021. Brown played Madison Russell, while Hottle played Jia, a young deaf girl with a central bond to Kong.

They returned to the franchise three years later in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. For a blockbuster series built on skyscraper-sized problems, Hottle's performance was one of its quieter, more human anchors.

Rebecca Hall, who also appeared with Hottle in the films, responded to the news on social media as well. She shared photos from their time on set and wrote: “Devastated to hear this news. My heart goes out to your family. You will be missed Kaylee.”

What officials said about the Maryland crash

News of Hottle's death emerged Tuesday after her father, Joshua Hottle, posted an emotional Facebook video saying he was flying from Texas to Maryland to claim his daughter's body.

In the video, he said he first received a call about Kaylee being involved in a crash. A short time later, he said, he received another call saying her heart had stopped while she was being taken to the hospital.

Authorities said the crash happened in Ijamsville, Maryland, at around 3 a.m. According to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, the driver of the car Hottle was riding in swerved off the road and struck a ditch.

The vehicle, a 1995 Honda Accord driven by a 19-year-old, went off the right side of a two-lane road and hit a culvert, officials said.

The investigation remains open

The sheriff’s office said “excessive speed may have contributed to the collision.” That is not a final finding, but it is the factor investigators have publicly identified so far.

Officials said:

  • Hottle was taken to a local trauma center, where she was pronounced dead.
  • The driver was hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
  • Another passenger declined medical treatment.
  • Emergency dispatch information indicated Hottle had been visiting the area and was unconscious when paramedics arrived.

Investigators are still looking into the crash.