Katherine Short, daughter of comedian Martin Short, had been open about living with mental illness and the support she relied on in the years leading up to her death.
On her now-deleted professional website, Katherine previously shared that she had a service dog named Joni who helped her manage her condition on a daily basis.
“Joni is my incredible service dog who has helped 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.
Describing how the dog often accompanies her to work, she added: “Joni will often be in the office with me, snuggled up on her bed. She is an absolute sweetheart and just 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 described Katherine’s professional life as a clinical social worker and highlighted her private practice and a wide range of specialties including anxiety, psychotic disorders and borderline personality disorders.
She was also actively involved in Bring Change 2 Mind, a charity focused on tackling stigma around mental health.
Katherine was reportedly found dead at her home in the Hollywood Hills on Monday evening, with authorities later confirming that the death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
She was 42.
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 earlier that evening.
In a statement released 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 is asking 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.
