Martin Short’s daughter, Katherine, reportedly showed no signs she was facing mental health issues before she died by suicide Monday.
Katherine lived in the Hollywood Hills, Calif., and one of her neighbors said the social worker gave “no indication of struggle.”
“Katherine was a private person but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t friendly. She was quite outgoing,” the neighbor told Us Weekly.
The neighbor noted that they would “hear and see her laughing with friends” on her front porch at times.
“She would always said ‘Hi,’” they shared, also noting she loved to talk about books, specifically, nonfiction literature.
Katherine clearly took pride in her home, decorating in “fun and whimsical ways” the neighbor observed.
“She proudly hung her Canadian flag yearlong,” they said.
Katherine, who was largely private but attended a handful of red carpet events with her parents, did have a service dog to assist with “mental illness” in the years prior to her death.
In her since-deleted professional website, she shared a photo and bio of her service dog, Joni, who she named after singer Joni Mitchell.
“Joni is my incredible service dog, who has been assisting me with my own struggles with mental illness for the past 5 years,” Katherine wrote.
A rep for Martin confirmed the sad news of Katherine’s death on Tuesday. She was 42 years old.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the rep shared. “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.”
The New York University graduate was reportedly found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home on Monday around 6 p.m. local time.
“At 6:41 p.m., we responded to a reported shooting at that address,” the Los Angeles Fire Department told Page Six, confirming they received a call to 911.
“Death was reported of a female.”
Short postponed his upcoming comedy show with his “Only Murders in the Building” co-star Steve Martin, shortly after news of his daughter’s death broke.
The beloved actor, 75, is no stranger to experiencing family tragedy.
He lost his older brother David to a car accident when he was 12 years old. He later mourned the death of his mom when he was 17 years old due to cancer, and just two years later, his father died from complications from a stroke.
The “Father of the Bride” star lost his late wife, Nancy Dolman, in August 2010 after she lost her battle with ovarian cancer.
The couple adopted three children before she died — Katherine and sons Oliver, 39, and Henry, 36.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
