Martin Short’s Daughter Katherine Short Dies at 42; Cause Confirmed by Medical Examiner
martin short’s eldest daughter, Katherine Short, a 42-year-old Los Angeles social worker, has died. Family representatives said the family is devastated and asked for privacy as officials and the medical examiner have disclosed details about her death.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death as a "gunshot wound of [the] head" and listed her place of death as her residence, and she died on Monday. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to her Hollywood Hills home at about 6 p. m. PT (9 p. m. ET), and paramedics pronounced her dead shortly after. A law enforcement source said she died by an apparent suicide.
Family statement and names used in public notices
"It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short, " a family 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. " The context also references her as Katherine Elizabeth Short in public images and notices.
Education, work and charitable involvement
Katherine earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and gender studies from New York University in 2006 and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010. She operated a private practice and worked part-time at the psychiatry-led outpatient clinic Amae Health. She also provided community outreach, peer support and psychotherapy through clinic work and was involved with the charity Bring Change 2 Mind, described in the context as working to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness and to empower young people to build empathetic, stigma-free school communities.
How the news affected the comedy tour
martin short postponed multiple shows on his joint comedy tour with longtime collaborator Steve Martin. Venues in Milwaukee and Minneapolis announced postponements: a Milwaukee date listed for Friday, February 27, was postponed with venues saying tickets will be honored for a future rescheduled date, and the Feb. 28 performances at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis were also delayed. Hennepin Theatre Trust confirmed updates for the Minneapolis engagements.
Family background and recent losses
Katherine was the eldest of three children Short adopted with his wife, actor Nancy Dolman. The couple met while working on a Toronto production of Godspell in the early 1970s and married in 1980. Dolman died of ovarian cancer in 2010 at age 58. Katherine’s younger brothers are named Henry and Oliver; an image caption in the provided context names Oliver Patrick.
The context notes that Katherine largely kept out of the spotlight but sometimes attended events and walked red carpets with her father. Her death comes less than a month after the death of Catherine O’Hara, a close friend and longtime collaborator of Martin Short, who died of a pulmonary embolism after a private battle with rectal cancer; Martin Short and his tour partner paid tribute to O’Hara during a recent stop on their tour.
Other mention and a note on upcoming items
A group of Rob Reiner’s closest friends released a statement remembering him as a "passionate, brave citizen" who worked to make the world a better place. The provided context also notes that martin short is listed as up for an Actor Award this Sunday, but the remainder of that line is unclear in the provided context.
Officials and the family have asked for privacy. The next confirmed tour date listed without a postponement notice in the provided context is March 13 in Washington, D. C.; venues affected by the recent postponements said tickets will be honored for future rescheduled dates.
