Content Advisory: This article discusses suicide, mental health struggles, a prior suicide attempt, and the death of a family member. Reader discretion is advised.
Martin Short reportedly tried to get help checking on his daughter, Katherine Short, before she was tragically found dead earlier this year.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s autopsy report, the ‘Only Murders In The Building’ star had not heard from Katherine in more than 24 hours and reached out to a friend to check on her.
The friend went to Katherine’s home and found a note on her locked bedroom door. That discovery prompted a 911 call. Authorities later entered the room and found Katherine dead with a pistol by her chest. She was 42 years old.
Martin Short Reportedly Asked Friend To Check On Katherine
The report states that Short contacted the friend after growing concerned about the lack of communication from his daughter.
The friend then went to Katherine’s home, where the situation quickly became alarming.
Investigators wrote that the note on the locked door led the friend to call emergency services. Police then arrived and entered the room.
The autopsy report also stated that Katherine had a documented history of mental illness and depression. It also referenced a previous suicide attempt in 2017 involving pills.
Short Family Previously Confirmed Her Death
Katherine died in February, with Short’s representative later confirming the heartbreaking news.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the statement said.
“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.”
Short, 76, later spoke about the loss during a May interview on ‘CBS Sunday Morning’. He described the experience as a “nightmare” for his family.
Martin Short Spoke About Mental Health Battle
During the interview, Short compared severe mental health struggles to other serious diseases, including the cancer that took the life of his late wife, Nancy Dolman, in 2010.
“The understanding is that mental health and cancer, like my wife’s, are both diseases,” Short said. “And sometimes with diseases they are terminal.”
He added that Katherine had fought for a long time. “My daughter fought for a long time with extreme mental health, borderline personality disorder, other things, and did the best she could until she couldn’t,” he said.
For Short and his family, the tragedy remains deeply personal. Their public comments have focused on grief, mental illness, and the daughter they say brought “light and joy” into the world.
