Share and Follow
Martin Short’s daughter, Katherine, tragically passed away by suicide on Monday, with those around her seeing no outward signs of her internal battles.
Residing in Hollywood Hills, California, Katherine was known among her neighbors as someone who appeared outwardly content. According to one neighbor, the social worker exhibited “no signs of struggle.”
“Despite her private nature, Katherine was indeed quite sociable and approachable,” the neighbor revealed to Us Weekly.
They recalled moments of hearing her engaging in laughter and conversation with friends on her front porch.
“She always greeted us warmly,” they added, mentioning her passion for discussing books, especially her fondness for nonfiction literature.
Katherine clearly took pride in her home, decorating in “fun and whimsical ways” the neighbor observed.
“She proudly hung her Canadian flag yearlong,” they said.
Katherine, who was largely private but attended a handful of red carpet events with her parents, did have a service dog to assist with “mental illness” in the years prior to her death.
In her since-deleted professional website, she shared a photo and bio of her service dog, Joni, who she named after singer Joni Mitchell.
“Joni is my incredible service dog, who has been assisting me with my own struggles with mental illness for the past 5 years,” Katherine wrote.
A rep for Martin confirmed the sad news of Katherine’s death on Tuesday. She was 42 years old.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the rep shared. “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.”
The New York University graduate was reportedly found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home on Monday around 6 p.m. local time.
“At 6:41 p.m., we responded to a reported shooting at that address,” the Los Angeles Fire Department told Page Six, confirming they received a call to 911.
“Death was reported of a female.”
Short postponed his upcoming comedy show with his “Only Murders in the Building” co-star Steve Martin, shortly after news of his daughter’s death broke.
The beloved actor, 75, is no stranger to experiencing family tragedy.
He lost his older brother David to a car accident when he was 12 years old. He later mourned the death of his mom when he was 17 years old due to cancer, and just two years later, his father died from complications from a stroke.
The “Father of the Bride” star lost his late wife, Nancy Dolman, in August 2010 after she lost her battle with ovarian cancer.
The couple adopted three children before she died — Katherine and sons Oliver, 39, and Henry, 36.