Canadian comedian and actor Martin Short is mourning the heartbreaking loss of his eldest daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, who was found dead at her Hollywood Hills home on February 23. She was 42 years old.
According to both TMZ and USA Today, emergency personnel responded to a call at approximately 6:41 p.m. on February 23, reporting a shooting at an address associated with Katherine.
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that responders located a deceased woman at the scene with self-inflicted wounds.
Shortly after, the Los Angeles Police Department stated officers answered a radio call regarding a possible suicide attempt around 6:43 p.m. and found a deceased female upon arrival.
On February 24, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Katherine Hartley Short’s manner of death was suicide. The case remains open.
In the wake of the tragedy, many have raised questions regarding Katherine’s illness and whether she had been privately battling mental health challenges.
While officials have not publicly disclosed any prior medical conditions, Katherine dedicated much of her professional life to supporting individuals struggling with mental health disorders.
A licensed clinical social worker, Katherine operated a private practice in Los Angeles. She specialized in adoption-related issues, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, grief and loss, suicidality, and relationship difficulties.
Her work placed her on the frontlines of mental health care, helping individuals navigate some of life’s most complex emotional struggles.
She earned her bachelor’s degree from New York University in 2006 before completing her Master of Social Work at the University of Southern California School of Social Work in 2010.
During her graduate studies, she led both group and individual therapy sessions for veterans diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
After graduation, she worked for four years at UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, further deepening her clinical experience.
Katherine was also involved with Bring Change To Mind, a nonprofit organization focused on ending the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Katherine was the eldest of three children adopted by Martin Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman. Dolman passed away in August 2010 following a battle with ovarian cancer, leaving Short to raise their three children — Katherine, Oliver Patrick, and Henry Hayter.
Despite being the daughter of a globally recognized entertainer, Katherine largely stayed out of the spotlight. She occasionally accompanied her father to public events but maintained a private life centered on her career and advocacy work.
In a 2019 appearance on “Conan,” Martin Short shared that none of his children pursued show business, even joking that he had encouraged them to consider it.
Martin Short took to his social media to express his sorrow and wrote:
“It is with broken hearts that we share the passing of our beloved daughter, Katherine Hartley Short. There are no words for the depth of this loss. Our family is devastated, and we ask for privacy as we grieve this unimaginable heartbreak. Katherine was the light of our lives full of warmth, kindness, and a joy that touched everyone she met. That light will never fade in our hearts. Forever loved. Forever our daughter. 💔🕊️”
Friends, colleagues, and those who knew Katherine describe her as compassionate, intelligent, and deeply committed to helping others. Ironically, her life’s work focused on easing the emotional suffering of others — a mission that makes her passing even more painful for those who admired her dedication to mental health advocacy.
Her death marks another devastating chapter for the Short family, who have already endured significant personal tragedy over the years.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. In the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for confidential support.
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