Martin Short’s daughter Catherine died on Monday in an apparent suicide. She was 42 years old.
“It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” a representative for the “Only Bill Murders” star confirmed to Page Six on Tuesday.
“The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was loved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought to the world.”
According to TMZ, the social worker was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home in the Hollywood Hills, California, around 6pm local time on Monday.
“At 6:41 p.m., we responded to a report of shots fired at that address,” the Los Angeles Fire Department told Page Six, confirming that the 911 call was received.
“A woman has been reported dead.”
Katherine was the adopted daughter of the 75-year-old actor and his late wife Nancy Dolman, who died of cancer in 2010.
Short and Dolman, who have been married for 30 years, also have adopted sons Oliver Patrick, 39, and Henry Hayter, 36.
Meanwhile, People magazine reported that Katherine graduated from New York University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender and sexuality studies.
She then earned a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010.
Until her death, the businesswoman had worked part-time as a social worker in a private clinic and at Amae Health Clinic, an outreach organization providing psychotherapy.
Additionally, Catherine was involved with Bring Change 2 Minds, a charity working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
Although most of the time Katherine stays away from the spotlight, she has attended several events with her famous father over the years.
She was last seen in public at her 40th birthday celebration at the Grand Master Recorder in Hollywood in 2023.
Before that, the father-daughter duo attended the 2021 Pre-Emmy Awards party together held at the Kimpton Lapeer Hotel in West Hollywood, California.
Short also took Katherine to the Los Angeles afterparty for The Producers in 2003, and to Bette Midler’s New York Revival Project in 2005.
