Katherine Short, the daughter of comedian Martin Short, had spoken openly about her mental illness and the support she relied on in the years before her death.
On her now-deleted professional website, Katherine previously said she had a service dog named Joni, who helped her manage her condition on a daily basis.
“Joni is my amazing service dog, who has been helping me with my own struggles with mental illness for the past 5 years,” Katherine wrote, explaining that the dog is named after singer Joni Mitchell.
She described how the dog often accompanied her to work, adding: “Joni will often be in the office with me, snuggled up on her bed. She is absolutely adorable and LOVES people, so don’t be surprised if she greets you with a smile, a wagging tail… and maybe even a kiss.”
The same website details Katherine’s professional life as a clinical social worker, highlighting her private practice and a wide range of specializations, including anxiety, psychotic disorders, and borderline personality disorder.
She has also been active in Bring Change 2 Mind, a charity focused on tackling mental health stigma.
Katherine was reportedly found dead Monday evening at her Hollywood Hills home, with authorities later confirming the death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
She was 42 years old.
According to emergency services, “at 6:41 p.m. we responded to a reported shooting at this address,” the Los Angeles Fire Department said. Page sixconfirming that a 911 call was received earlier in the evening.
In a statement released after her death, the family said: “It is with deep sadness that we confirm the death of Katherine Hartley Short.
The Short family is devastated by this loss and requests privacy at this time. Katherine was loved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought to the world.
Katherine was the adopted daughter of Martin Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died of cancer in 2010.
