Katherine Short death has been confirmed by her family, marking a tragic loss for both her loved ones and the wider mental health community. Katherine, 42, was the daughter of actor and comedian Martin Short. Her passing comes after a life dedicated to social work and mental health advocacy, and her family has requested privacy as they grieve.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the family said in a statement. “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.”
Emergency services arrived at Katherine Short’s Hollywood Hills home at approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, February 23. Paramedics pronounced her deceased shortly thereafter. A law enforcement source told The Times that her death is being treated as an apparent suicide.
Katherine Short built a professional life focused on mental health and social work. She 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 maintained a private practice and worked part-time at the psychiatry-led outpatient clinic Amae Health. She was also actively involved with the charity Bring Change 2 Mind, which works to end stigma and discrimination around mental illness.
Her personal life reflected both joy and deep loss. Katherine was the eldest of three children adopted by Martin Short and his late wife, actress Nancy Dolman, who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2010. Friends and colleagues remember Katherine as compassionate, intelligent, and dedicated, with a professional ethos shaped by both personal experience and empathy.
This tragedy underlines the challenges faced by those working in mental health, including the pressures and emotional weight that can accompany such careers. Advocates emphasize the importance of support systems, early intervention, and public awareness in addressing mental health struggles and preventing similar losses.
The Short family’s request for privacy highlights the deeply personal dimension behind a story that has drawn public attention. Katherine Short’s life and work left a lasting impact on her community, and her absence will be felt by all who knew her personally or through her professional contributions.
