The 42-year-old was found dead inside her Hollywood Hills home last week after a call was made to police about a potential suicide.

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Martin Short and his eldest daughter Katherine ShortCredit: Getty
 

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The Hollywood star’s daughter was found dead inside her home last weekCredit: Getty
Now, her official death certificate from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The document also confirms she has been cremated.

Authorities discovered Katherine behind a locked door inside the property.

A note was recovered at the scene, though its contents have not been made public.

Sources previously indicated she had taken her own life.

“The call was for a possible suicide. Officers made a death investigation report. It remains an active investigation,” an LAPD spokesperson said.

A friend close to Katherine told TMZ her behaviour leading up to her death was normal.

They said there were no signs that she may hurt herself in anyway.

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Her family confirmed her passing in a statement first reported by TMZ.

“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. 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 statement read.

Martin was scheduled to appear onstage with Steve Martin for “The Best of Steve Martin and Martin Short” comedy tour in Milwaukie and Minneapolis over the weekend.

According to the venues’ websites, the shows have been postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances,” and tickets will be honored for the rescheduled dates when those are determined.

Katherine was the eldest of three children adopted by Martin and his late wife, Nancy Dolman.

She worked as a social worker in Los Angeles and held an active license as a Social Worker – Clinical, specializing in Behavioral Care, which was renewed on December 31, 2025, according to online records.

Despite her father’s fame in television and film, Katherine largely stayed out of the public eye.

Martin and Nancy were also parents to sons Oliver, 39, and Henry, 36.

Nancy died in August 2010 after a battle with ovarian cancer.

In an August 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Martin reflected on her passing.

“It was absolutely horrible, obviously, and as sad as anything,” the Only Murders in the Building star said.

“I will tell you what I said to my kids at the time: ‘I believe Mom has zoomed into our souls.’”

He previously shared how he and his children honored Nancy’s wishes while celebrating her life.

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“The kids and I went into a boat. We sprinkled the ashes in the water, and we jumped into the ashes,” the Saturday Night Live alum recalled.

Martin is rumoured to be dating Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep.

It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.

It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.

And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.

Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.

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Gavin B. Keilly, Tara-Jane Flynn, Katherine Short, and Martin Short in 2016