Katherine Hartley Short, the daughter of beloved comic actor Martin Short, has tragically been found dead, and the case has now taken a dramatic turn.
According to the law enforcement sources, Katherine was discovered on February 23 at around 6pm local time at her Hollywood Hills home after a concerned friend contacted authorities, having not heard from her for 24 hours.
Homicide investigators reportedly attended the property but ruled out any foul play.
She is said to have been found behind a locked bedroom door with a suicide note and a gun nearby.
Officials believe she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
It's worth noting that the heartbreaking news was confirmed by representative for Martin Short in a statement to Page Six on Tuesday.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the statement read.
“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.”
Adding more details to the case, a neighbour told Us Weekly that Katherine had shown no visible signs of distress.
“She was a private person but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t friendly. She was quite outgoing,” they said, adding that they would often see and hear her laughing with friends on her porch.
For those unfamiliar, she worked as a psychiatric social worker and had previously written candidly about her own struggles with mental illness.
In 2012, she legally changed her surname to Hartley, explaining she wanted to avoid potential harassment from patients due to her father’s fame.
Martin, best known for his role in Only Murders in the Building, adopted Katherine with his late wife Nancy Dolman.
The couple also share two sons.
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