The comedian’s daughter, who worked as a licensed clinical social worker, died at 42 on Monday, Feb. 23.

Cause of death confirmed for Martin Short’s daughter Katherine

The comedian's daughter, who worked as a licensed clinical social worker, died at 42 on Monday, Feb. 23.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

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February 25, 2026 8:31 p.m. ET

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Martin Short and Katherine Short in Los Angeles, Calif., on Jan. 31, 2008. Credit:

Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock

Authorities have announced the cause of death for Katherine Short, the eldest child of comedian Martin Short.

Records from the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner's office listed Monday, Feb. 23, as the official date of Katherine's death, and confirmed her manner of death as suicide with the official cause listed as "gunshot wound of head." It also stated her place of death as "residence."

A representative for the *Only Murders in the Building* star previously confirmed Katherine's death at 42 in a statement shared with **. "The Short family is devastated by this loss, and asks for privacy at this time," the statement read. "Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world."

Katherine Short and Martin Short in West Hollywood, Calif., on Sept. 17, 2021.

Tiffany Rose/Getty

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call from a house in the Hollywood Hills at 6:41 p.m. local time on Monday regarding a woman approximately 41 years old, PEOPLE previously reported.

Martin Short and his wife, Nancy Dolman, adopted three children together: Katherine, born 1983; Oliver, born 1986; and Henry, born 1989. Dolman died of ovarian cancer in 2010.

Katherine graduated from New York University in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in  psychology and gender sexuality studies at New York University. She later earned a master's in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010, working with the pro bono law firm Public Counsel during the first year of her program and later training at the West L.A. Veterans Administration.

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In her early career, Katherine worked at UCLA's Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital and dual-diagnosis outpatient program Camden Center. The *Father of the Bride* star's daughter later worked as a licensed clinical social worker at a private practice, and also worked part-time at the clinic Amae Health to provide mental health resources and community outreach.

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Martin Short jokingly reflected on parenting — and his kids not following him into the entertainment industry — in a 2019 interview on *Conan*. "I pushed them. I wanted them to go into show business," the *Clifford* actor said. "I'd make them do laps in the morning and I kind of go to the balcony with my coffee and [yell] 'Quitter! Do it again!'"

*If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance misuse, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at **988lifeline.org** 24/7.*

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