Martin Short is mourning the loss of his daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, who died Monday at her home in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. She was 42. A representative for Martin Short confirmed the death in an official statement, saying the family is devastated and asking for privacy.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed a cause of death. Several media reports described the case as an apparent suicide, citing law-enforcement information and references attributed to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Katherine Hartley Short was reportedly found dead Monday evening around 6 p.m. The Los Angeles Fire Department stated it responded to a reported shooting at the residence at approximately 6:41 p.m. local time, providing a more precise emergency-response timeline.
Martin Short adopted Katherine and her brothers, Henry and Oliver, with his late wife Nancy Dolman, who died in 2010 from ovarian cancer.
Katherine earned a bachelor’s degree from New York University in 2006 and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010. She worked as a licensed clinical social worker in private practice and supported community outreach and psychotherapy services. She was also involved with Bring Change 2 Mind.
Martin Short is currently on a two-man comedy tour with Steve Martin, with the next show scheduled Friday in Milwaukee.
