Martin Short’s Daughter Katherine Reported Dead at 42

Katherine Short, the daughter of actor and comedian Martin Short, has died by suicide at the age of 42. She was found at her Los Angeles home. Her death was confirmed by her family.

“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the family said in a statement. “The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”

Photo: Getty Images

On Monday, February 23, at 6:41 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a Hollywood Hills home after a friend requested a welfare check, after not hearing from her for over 24 hours, LAPD sources told the Investigative unit of NBC4 Los Angeles. Officers found a note on the door and discovered Short inside the home; she died by suicide, authorities said.

She had lived in the Hollywood Hills neighbourhood for around six years, one of her neighbours told the Daily Mail, “Katherine mostly kept to herself. She had been struggling with a physical illness. She must have been in so much anguish to have done this. It’s just so sad.”

Photo: Getty Images

Katherine was a licensed clinical social worker who worked part-time at the Amae Health, a mental health provider offering community outreach, family support groups, peer support and psychotherapy. She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Gender and Sexuality Studies from New York University in 2006 and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010.

Katherine was adopted by Martin Short and his late wife of 30 years, Nancy Dolman, who died from ovarian cancer in 2010. The couple also adopted two other children, Oliver Patrick, 39, and Henry Hayter, 36.

Photo: Getty Images

Following the tragedy, Martin Short shared that he would be postponing his comedy tour with Steve Martin. The comedian was scheduled to perform on February 27 in Milwaukee and February 28 in Minneapolis.

In the United States, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988.