Martin Short’s daughter Katherine’s cause of death revealed after shocking tragedy at 42

Martin Short’s daughter Katherine Hartley Short has died at the age of 42, with officials confirming the manner of her death.

According to reports, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined that the licensed clinical social worker died by suicide after she was found dead at her Hollywood Hills home on February 23. The case remains open.

She is alleged to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department told the outlet that personnel responded to a reported shooting at the address at around 6:41 pm. A Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson also confirmed officers answered a radio call of a possible suicide attempt and found a deceased woman at the scene.

In a statement shared, a representative for the family said: “It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. 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.”

Katherine was the eldest child of the comedian and actor and his late wife Nancy Dolman, who died of ovarian cancer in 2010. Short and Dolman adopted three children together, including sons Oliver Patrick and Henry Hayter.

She graduated from New York University in 2006 and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Southern California School of Social Work in 2010.

Katherine worked as a licensed clinical social worker in Los Angeles, where she ran a private practice specialising in adoption, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, grief and relationship difficulties. During her graduate studies, she led group and individual therapy sessions for veterans diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and later worked at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital for four years.

She was also involved with the non-profit organisation Bring Change To Mind, which focuses on reducing stigma around mental health.

Despite her father’s high public profile, she largely stayed out of the spotlight, appearing at only a handful of public events over the years.

Short is currently scheduled to perform comedy shows with Steve Martin later this week, although it remains unclear whether the events will go ahead.