The cause of death of Cailey Houghtel, a Korean-descended mixed-race deaf actress who appeared in the Hollywood film Godzilla vs. Kong, has been officially confirmed.
On the 22nd (local time), foreign outlets including People reported that the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the United States officially ruled Cailey Houghtel's cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries.
According to reports, Houghtel died in a traffic accident that occurred at around 3 a.m. on the 21st in Frederick County, Maryland, U.S. The 19-year-old male driver sustained nonlife-threatening injuries at the time of the accident, but Houghtel was urgently transported to a trauma center and ultimately died.
The day after the accident, the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner officially confirmed Houghtel's cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. The manner of death was also ruled an accident. Police are assuming the cause of the crash was speeding.
Houghtel's father, Joshua Houghtel, earlier tearfully shared the bad news via a live broadcast on his social media on the day of the accident. He was staying in Texas, and said he was heading to Maryland after hearing of his daughter's death.
Houghtel's mother, Ketsy Houghtel, who is of Korean descent, also released a tearful video mourning her daughter. Ketsy left the message, "Being able to be your mother was the greatest honor of my life."
Rebecca Hall, the actress who played Jia's mother opposite Cailey Houghtel in Godzilla vs. Kong, was also deeply shocked by the news. Rebecca Hall posted a photo on her social media showing her acting alongside Houghtel and expressed her condolences, saying, "I was so shocked and saddened to hear this news. My deepest sympathies to your family. Cailey, I will miss you for a long time."
In the film, Rebecca Hall played Dr. Ilene Andrews, a scientist, and Houghtel played Jia, a deaf orphan she adopted.
Cailey Houghtel debuted as Jia in the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong and also appeared in the 2024 film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Jia, as portrayed by Houghtel, shared a special bond with Kong in the story and was greatly loved by fans.
[Photo] Cailey Houghtel, Rebecca Hall SNS.
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