Martin Short Confirms His Daughter Katherine Has Died, Aged 42

Martin Short has announced the death of his daughter Katherine, at the age of 42.

On Tuesday evening, the two-time Emmy winner said 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.”

TMZ previously claimed that Katherine had been found dead at her home in the Hollywood Hills on Monday evening.

According to People, the Los Angeles Police Department said that a call had been made to the Los Angeles Fire Department on Monday, regarding a possible suicide.

A graduate in psychology and gender sexuality studies, People also reported that Katherine was a clinical social worker in Los Angeles. She also worked part-time at a mental health and psychiatric care facility, helping to provide “community outreach, family support groups, peer support and psychotherapy”.

Katherine was the eldest of three children that Martin and his late wife Nancy Dolman adopted during their 30-year marriage. The two were also parents to two sons, Oliver and Henry.

Nancy – who, like her famous husband, had been a comic actor, but retired from performing when she became a mother – died from ovarian cancer in 2010, at the age of 58.

“It’s been a tough two years for my children,” the Only Murders In The Building star said in 2012. “This is the thing of life that we live in denial about, that it will ever happen to us or our loved ones, and when it does you gain a little and you suffer a little. There’s no big surprise.”

Martin is currently in the middle of a comedy tour alongside his frequent collaborator, Steve Martin.

• Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
• Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
• CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
• The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
• Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0808 801 0525 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.