Martin Short breaks silence on daughter Katherine’s death: ‘Nightmare’

Martin Short emotionally addressed the sudden death of his daughter, Katherine.

“It’s been a nightmare for the family,” the “Only Murders in the Building” star told “CBS Sunday Morning.”

“But the understanding [is] that mental health and cancer, like my wife’s, are both diseases, and sometimes with diseases they are terminal,” he added, referring to his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died in 2010.

Actor Martin Short and Katherine Elizabeth Short smiling on a red carpet. — Martin Short has broken his silence on the death of his daughter, Katherine, pictured here with him at the 2011 Vanity Fair Oscars Party. FilmMagic

Martin Short and his daughter Katherine Marcia Short smiling. — “It’s been a nightmare for the family,” the “Only Murders in the Building” star (seen here in 2006) told “CBS Sunday Morning.” WireImage

“And my daughter fought for a long time with extreme mental health, borderline personality disorder, other things, and did the best she couldn’t until she couldn’t,” Short, 76, continued.

Katherine tragically died at the age of 42 on Feb. 23.

“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” a spokesperson for Short told Page Six on Feb. 24.

Martin Short and daughter Katherine Short smiling at the Spiderwick Chronicles film premiere. — “But the understanding [is] that mental health and cancer, like my wife’s, are both diseases, and sometimes with diseases they are terminal,” Short (seen here in 2008) continued. Alex Berliner/BEI / Shutterstock

Martin Short and Katherine Short smiling at — Katherine died by suicide on Feb. 23. She’s pictured here with her dad at “The Spiderwick Chronicles” Los Angeles premiere in January 2008. Picture Perfect / Shutterstock

“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.”

Katherine was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her Los Angeles home.

The Los Angeles Fire Department told Page Six that they responded to a shooting at a Hollywood Hills address around 6:40 p.m.

Katherine, pictured here with her dad at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City on Halloween in 2005, was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her Los Angeles home. Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Katherine Short wearing a — She was 42 years old. She’s pictured here celebrating her 40th birthday in Hollywood, Calif., in October 2023. The Hollywood JR / BACKGRID

According to TMZ, law enforcement found a suicide note, though it’s unclear what was written.

Short shared Katherine, along with sons Oliver Patrick, 39, and Henry Hayter, 36, with his Dolman.

The social worker had a service dog named after singer Joni Mitchell to assist with “mental illness.”

Katherine had two brothers, Oliver (pictured here on the right with her and their dad at Comedy Central’s “Night Of Too Many Stars,” a benefit for Autism Education, in New York City in October 2006), and Henry. Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

Actor and comedian Martin Short with his daughter Katherine Elizabeth in 1989. — In a statement confirming Katherine’s death, Short’s rep told Page Six that the social worker was “beloved by all.” She and her dad are pictured here in a photo taken in Los Angeles in 1989. Getty Images

Her neighbors described her as friendly, though noted she kept mostly to herself.

Short is no stranger to experiencing family tragedy. His older brother David died in a car accident when he was 12 years old, and he later lost his mother to cancer when he was 17 years old. His father died from complications of a stroke just two years after.

If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.

The post Martin Short breaks silence on daughter Katherine’s death: ‘Nightmare’ appeared first on Page Six.