Katherine Hartley Short, the 42-year-old daughter of the actor and comedian Martin Short, has died, her family has confirmed in a statement carried by US media.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” a representative said, adding that the family was “devastated” and asking for privacy.
Los Angeles police said a call was received at about 6.43pm on Monday to an address associated with Katherine Short for a possible suicide, and that officers and medical responders found a deceased woman at the scene before an investigation was opened. The Los Angeles Fire Department said it responded to reports of a shooting at the same location and also found a woman dead.
Entertainment industry outlets and broadcasters reported that the Los Angeles County coroner confirmed Katherine Short’s death was a suicide.
Katherine Short, who kept a low public profile, was reported to have built a career away from the entertainment industry, working in mental health. People and ABC News said she was a licensed clinical social worker in Los Angeles, involved in both private practice and community-facing work.
According to ABC News, she trained in several settings during her professional development, including the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration and UCLA’s Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, before working in private practice and at Amae Health, a clinic that provides psychotherapy and outreach services.
People reported that she earned a bachelor’s degree from New York University in psychology and gender and sexuality studies, and later completed a master’s degree in social work at the University of Southern California.
Family and biographical details about Katherine Short have been reported differently across outlets, but multiple reports describe her as the eldest of three children in the Short family, with two brothers, Henry and Oliver. Several outlets also reported she was adopted by Martin Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died in 2010.
In their statement, the family described Katherine as “beloved by all” and said she would be remembered for the “light and joy she brought into the world”.
The death has prompted an outpouring of condolences online, including messages from fans and fellow performers reacting to the news reports and the family’s request for privacy. On social media, many users focused on Katherine Short’s work supporting people experiencing mental health difficulties, while others shared personal accounts of bereavement and urged those in crisis to seek help, echoing themes commonly seen in public responses to high-profile deaths.
Katherine Short’s professional focus has also shaped how the story is being discussed publicly. ABC News and other outlets noted her involvement with mental health advocacy, including reported links to the charity Bring Change 2 Mind, which campaigns to reduce stigma around mental illness.
Her death comes at a time when Martin Short, 75, remains a prominent presence in US film and television, including recent years as one of the stars of the Disney-backed comedy-mystery series Only Murders in the Building. Over a career spanning decades, Short has been known for a blend of sketch comedy, improvisation and character work, from early television to Hollywood comedies and stage performances.
In recent months he has also been touring, including live dates with fellow comedian and actor Steve Martin, according to entertainment reporting.
The circumstances described by authorities were limited, and police have not released additional information beyond confirming an investigation was opened after officers attended the address following the emergency call. ABC News said the initial report received by police was for a “possible suicide” and that medics were among those who responded.
Los Angeles Fire Department officials, in confirming their attendance, referred to a report of a shooting and said a woman was found dead on arrival, ABC News reported.
The coroner’s confirmation, as reported by People, established the cause of death as suicide, a determination typically made after investigation and review by medical examiners.
Because Katherine Short was not a public figure in the way her father is, many details of her life have emerged through her education and professional roles rather than media interviews or public appearances. People reported that she occasionally attended events with her father but largely stayed out of the spotlight.
In comments and posts shared across social platforms, users have also returned to a familiar tension that follows the death of someone connected to celebrity: the contrast between the public visibility of the family name and the private, often unseen nature of personal struggles. Many messages circulating online have emphasised the importance of checking in on friends and relatives, particularly those who appear outwardly successful or supportive of others, themes mirrored in highly liked comments under coverage of the death.
The family’s representative has not announced memorial arrangements, and the statement requested privacy.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be reached free on 116 123, or by email at jo@samaritans.org. In the US, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988.
