Martin Short's Daughter Katherine Dies at 42 Amid Investigation

Martin Short is mourning the death of his daughter Katherine Short, who was found deceased at age 42 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Variety and El Financiero. Authorities opened an investigation into her death as a possible suicide after she went missing for 24 hours before being discovered behind a locked door with a note nearby, TMZ reports.

Katherine, who legally changed her name to Katherine Hartley over a decade ago to avoid harassment and protect her privacy as a social worker, also used a service dog to assist with managing her mental health, per TMZ. Her friend alerted authorities when she became unresponsive and could not be reached for an entire day.

The autopsy on Katherine Short has been completed, and her body is now ready for release, official sources told TMZ. The tragedy prompted Martin Short to postpone his upcoming comedy tour with Steve Martin, which was scheduled to begin in Milwaukee at the Miller High Life Theatre, according to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter.

The delay of the tour emphasizes the personal impact of this loss on Short, while the investigation into the circumstances surrounding Katherine’s death remains open. Observers will be watching for any official findings or statements from authorities in the coming days as the family processes this tragedy.