Martin Short’s Daughter Was Found Dead After He Asked a Friend to Check on Her

Martin Short asked a friend of his daughter Katherine Hartley Short to check on her at her Hollywood Hills home after he had not heard from her for more than 24 hours, according to USA Today.

The friend used a spare key to get into the house, discovered a note on Katherine's bedroom door, and found her body inside.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the Hollywood Hills address at about 6 p.m. on Feb. 23. Paramedics pronounced Katherine Short dead shortly after arriving.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed it received a call at 6:43 p.m. about a possible suicide at the scene.

A law enforcement source told the Los Angeles Times her death appeared to be a suicide. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed she died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Katherine Hartley Short was 42.

"It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short," her family said in a statement. "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."

Katherine Short was a licensed clinical social worker. She held a bachelor's degree in psychology and gender studies from New York University, which she earned in 2006, and a master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California, earned in 2010.

She ran a private practice in Los Angeles and worked part-time at Amae Health, a psychiatry-led outpatient clinic.

She also volunteered with Bring Change 2 Mind, a nonprofit focused on reducing the stigma around mental illness.

Katherine Short was the eldest of three children that Martin Short adopted with his wife, actor and singer Nancy Dolman. Dolman died of ovarian cancer in August 2010, after 30 years of marriage. Katherine's brothers, Henry and Oliver Short, survive her.

Martin Short, 75, is a Canadian-born actor and comedian with a career spanning five decades.

He is known for films such as Three Amigos and Father of the Bride and currently stars as Oliver Putnam in the Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, alongside Steve Martin and Selena Gomez. Short was nominated for an Actor Award for that role when his daughter died.

After news of Katherine's death, Martin Short postponed multiple dates on his comedy tour with Steve Martin. Milwaukee's Miller High Life Theatre and Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre both posted postponement notices, mentioning unforeseen circumstances.

No new dates were announced right away, but both venues said existing tickets would be honored.

Katherine Short's death came less than a month after Catherine O'Hara, a close friend and longtime collaborator of Martin Short, died from a pulmonary embolism.

Katherine Short was born on Dec. 3, 1983.