Katherine Short, daughter of comedian Martin Short, had been open about living with mental illness and the support she depended on in the years before her death.
On her now-deleted professional website, Katherine previously shared that she had a service dog named Joni, who helped her monitor her condition daily.
“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 is usually in the office with me, curled up on her bed. She is absolutely lovely 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 specialties, including anxiety, psychotic disorders, and borderline personality disorder.
She was also active in Bring Change 2 Mind, a charity focused on tackling stigma around mental health.
Katherine was reportedly found dead in her Hollywood Hills home on Monday night and authorities later confirmed that the death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
She was 42 years old.
According to emergency officials, “at 6:41 p.m., we responded to a reported shooting at that address,” the Los Angeles Fire Department said. Page sixconfirming that a 911 call was received that same night.
In a statement issued after her death, the family said: “It is with deep sadness 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 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.
