Martin Short’s daughter, Katherine, reportedly showed no signs she was facing mental health issues before she died by suicide Monday.
Katherine lived in the Hollywood Hills, Calif., and one of her neighbors said the social worker gave “no indication of struggle.”
“Katherine was a private person but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t friendly. She was quite outgoing,” the neighbor told Us Weekly.
The neighbor noted that they would “hear and see her laughing with friends” on her front porch at times.
One of Katherine Short’s neighbors said she gave “no indication of struggle” before she died by suicide on Monday. She’s pictured here at the 2011 Vanity Fair Oscars Party with her dad, Martin Short. Penske Media via Getty Images
Katherine, who lived in Hollywood Hills, Calif., was “quite outgoing” and friendly, the neighbor noted. Her home is pictured here. 4CRNS, WCP / BACKGRID
“She would always said ‘Hi,’” they shared, also noting she loved to talk about books, specifically, nonfiction literature.
Katherine clearly took pride in her home, decorating in “fun and whimsical ways” the neighbor observed.
“She proudly hung her Canadian flag yearlong,” they said.
Katherine, who was largely private but attended a handful of red carpet events with her parents, did have a service dog to assist with “mental illness” in the years prior to her death.
In her since-deleted professional website, she shared a photo and bio of her service dog, Joni, who she named after singer Joni Mitchell.
Katherine (pictured here celebrating her 40th birthday in Hollywood, Calif., in October 2023) loved to talk about books, specifically nonfiction literature, the neighbor shared. The Hollywood JR / BACKGRID
Katherine also took pride in her home, decorating in “festive” and “whimsical” ways, the neighbor noted. She’s pictured here with her dad at“The X-Files: Fight the Future” premiere in Westwood, Calif., in June 1998. Getty Images
“Joni is my incredible service dog, who has been assisting me with my own struggles with mental illness for the past 5 years,” Katherine wrote.
A rep for Martin confirmed the sad news of Katherine’s death on Tuesday. She was 42 years old.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the rep shared. “The Short family is devastated by this loss, and asks for privacy at this time. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”
The New York University graduate was reportedly found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home on Monday around 6 p.m. local time.
Short’s rep confirmed the devastating news of Katherine’s death to Page Six. noting she was “beloved by all.” She’s pictured here with her dad at “The Spiderwick Chronicles” Los Angeles premiere in January 2008. Picture Perfect / Shutterstock
Katherine was mostly private throughout her life, but did attend a handful of red carpet events with her parents. She’s pictured here with her mother, the late Nancy Dolman, and her dad at the “Jungle 2 Jungle” premiere in Westwood, Calif., in 1997. Corbis via Getty Images
“At 6:41 p.m., we responded to a reported shooting at that address,” the Los Angeles Fire Department told Page Six, confirming they received a call to 911.
“Death was reported of a female.”
Short postponed his upcoming comedy show with his “Only Murders in the Building” co-star Steve Martin, shortly after news of his daughter’s death broke.
The beloved actor, 75, is no stranger to experiencing family tragedy.
Katherine also made public appearances with her brothers, Oliver and Henry. The siblings are pictured here at the opening night of “Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me” at Tavern on the Green in August 2006 in New York City. Gregory Pace/BEI / Shutterstock
Short was photographed on Wednesday greeting his family and friends at his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif. Javiles/Bruce / BACKGRID
He lost his older brother David to a car accident when he was 12 years old. He later mourned the death of his mom when he was 17 years old due to cancer, and just two years later, his father died from complications from a stroke.
The “Father of the Bride” star lost his late wife, Nancy Dolman, in August 2010 after she lost her battle with ovarian cancer.
The couple adopted three children before she died — Katherine and sons Oliver, 39, and Henry, 36.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.