Katherine Short found dead in Hollywood Hills home; family confirms her passing

Katherine Short, the 42-year-old daughter of actor and comedian Martin Short, was found dead behind a locked bedroom door with a gun and a suicide note nearby, law enforcement sources told People.

Authorities responded to a call at Short’s Hollywood Hills home on February 23, after a friend reported she had not been heard from in 24 hours. 

According to sources, homicide investigators ruled out foul play. Short was discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

A representative for Martin Short confirmed her death in a statement.

“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. 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.”

Neighbors described Short as private yet friendly. One told Us Weekly:

“Katherine was a private person, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t friendly. She was quite outgoing. We would hear and see her laughing with friends on her front porch at times.”

Short, a psychiatric social worker, had previously written about her struggles with mental illness. 

On her now-deleted professional website, she detailed her work with a service dog named Joni, named after singer Joni Mitchell, who had been assisting her for the past five years.

In 2012, she legally changed her surname from Short to Hartley, citing concerns about privacy due to her father’s public profile. In documents explaining the change, she wrote, “My father is a public figure and I am a psychiatric social worker. I am worried about potential harassment from future patients resulting from my association with my father.”

Short maintained a low public profile and was last seen publicly celebrating her 40th birthday in 2023. 

She was adopted by Martin Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, along with her brothers, Oliver Patrick, 39, and Henry Hayter, 36.