What Happened to Martin Short’s Daughter: Katherine Short Dies at 42 in Apparent Suicide
Feb. 24, 2026 — Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles
Katherine Hartley Short, also referred to as Katherine Elizabeth Short and the 42-year-old eldest daughter of comedian Martin Short, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home here. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office ruled the death a suicide, confirming what happened to Martin Short’s daughter in reports from multiple outlets.
The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a possible suicide call at the residence at 6:43 p.m., according to ABC News. TMZ first reported the death on Feb. 24, stating the family had confirmed her passing after the self-inflicted gunshot.
Official Confirmation of What Happened to Martin Short’s Daughter
Law enforcement and the coroner verified the suicide ruling to several news organizations. People magazine reported the coroner’s confirmation and noted Katherine was a licensed clinical social worker. The Los Angeles Times described it as an apparent suicide at her Hollywood Hills home, while USA Today cited her representative. Variety detailed the police response after 6 p.m., aligning with the timeline of what happened to Martin Short’s daughter.
Family Statement and Grief
The family issued a statement to People expressing profound grief over the loss. The Guardian and CBC News also covered the tragedy, emphasizing its sensitivity.
Background and Context
Katherine was the eldest of Martin Short’s three children with late wife Nancy Dolman, who died of ovarian cancer in 2010; the children were adopted. Recent X discussions as of Feb. 25 referenced Fox News reports on the cause and adoption details, NBC News on family devastation, and Daily Mail accounts from friends noting no prior signs of distress despite support efforts.
Details on what happened to Martin Short’s daughter remain consistent across sources, underscoring the sudden nature of the event.
