Martin Short’s eldest daughter Katherine Hartley Short died at the age of 42, officials have confirmed.
Hartley Short was found dead in his home on February 23. The next day, Tuesday, February 24, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the licensed clinical social worker’s manner of death was determined to be suicide. The case remains pending.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department previously told USA TODAY on February 24 that on February 23 at approximately 6:41 p.m., crews “responded to reports of a shooting at an address associated with Hartley Short” in the Hollywood Hills and identified one of the deceased persons.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to USA Today that at approximately 6:43 pm on February 23, officers received a “radio call of a possible suicide attempt” in the Hartley Short neighborhood and “discovered the body of a female at the location.”
Short’s representative previously confirmed Hartley Short’s death to USA Today in a statement on February 24. “It is with deep sadness that we confirm the passing of Catherine Hartley Short,” the statement read.
“The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time,” the statement continued. “Katherine was loved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought to the world.”
Martin Short’s Therapist Daughter Catherine’s Works
Catherine Short poses with her brothers Henry (second from left) and Oliver Short (right) and their parents Nancy Dorman Short (centre) and Martin Short in 2006.
Short’s daughter graduated from New York University in 2006 and received a master’s degree from the University of Southern California School of Social Work in 2010.
She is a licensed clinical social worker who runs a private practice in Los Angeles specializing in the treatment of adoption, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, grief and loss, suicide, and relationship difficulties.
While pursuing a master’s degree in social work, Hartley-Short led group and individual therapy sessions for veterans diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. She then worked at UCLA Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital for four years.
Her mother, Short’s late wife Nancy Dolman, died in August 2010 of ovarian cancer.
During a 2019 appearance on Conan, Short revealed that none of his children wanted to go into show business, even though “I pushed them. I wanted them to go into show business.”
Short and Dorman also had two sons, Oliver Patrick and Henry Hayter. They welcomed their three children through adoption.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988, texting or visiting 988lifeline.org. Crisis Text Line also provides free, 24/7, confidential support via text message to people in crisis who call 741741.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cause of death of Martin Short’s daughter Katherine revealed
