When authorities discovered Kathryn Short’s body, they found a suicide note.
Law enforcement officials told TMZ on Thursday that Martin Short’s daughter was found behind a locked bedroom door, with a “note” and a gun nearby.
Catherine’s body was discovered after a friend alerted the authorities because she had been “unreachable for 24 hours”.
Homicide authorities also reportedly responded to the call and ruled out any criminal activity.
Despite missing for 24 hours, Catherine’s neighbors said she never showed “signs” that she was suffering from mental health problems.
“Katherine was a private person, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t friendly. She was very outgoing,” a neighbor told Us Weekly, adding that she would sometimes “hear or see Kathryn laughing with her friends” on her front porch.
However, for several years before her death, Catherine had kept a service dog, Joni, to treat her “mental illness.”
She spoke about her dog on her now-deleted professional website, writing: “Joni has been my amazing service dog and has helped me battle my own mental illness for the past five years.”
On February 23rd, around 6pm local time, Katherine was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in her home in Hollywood Hills, California. 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.”
The social worker kept a low profile for many years, making her last public appearance in 2023 to celebrate her 40th birthday.
In fact, Katherine went to great lengths to protect her privacy and changed her last name from Short to Hartley in 2012.
In the document, Catherine explained that her “father is a public figure” and that she is a “psychiatric social worker.”
“I am worried that I may be harassed by patients in the future because of my association with my father,” she continued.
Martin, 75, adopted Katherine with his late wife, Nancy Dolman, through adoption. The couple then adopted two sons, Oliver Patrick (39) and Henry Hayter (36).
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
