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Katherine Short's exact cause of death revealed in tragic 911 call; here's how Martin Short's daughter died

Katherine Elizabeth Short's exact cause of death has been revealed. Details from a 911 call made about Martin Short's daughter are out

Published on: Feb 25, 2026, 07:21:23 IST
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Katherine Elizabeth Short's exact cause of death has been revealed. The Daily Mail on Tuesday reported that it obtained the 911 call made in connection with legendary comedian Martin Short's daughter, who died by suicide at the age of 42.

Martin Short arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Martin Short arrives at the 83rd Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

The Los Angeles Fire Department on Monday, at around 6:41 PM local time, responded to a call from a Hollywood Hills home. It was about a female, approximately 41 years old. The Los Angeles Police Department later clarified to PEOPLE and other media outlets that it was regarding a possible suicide. The woman was identified as Katherine Short, Martin Short's only daughter.

Katherine Elizabeth Short's cause of death

In the 911 call obtained by the Daily Mail, the Los Angeles Fire Department could be heard telling first responders that Katherine's wound was 'self-inflicted.' The dispatcher reportedly said that the person who reported the incident had been 'with the patient and unable to enter the bedroom' of the Hollywood, California home.

Martin Short's rep confirms death

Meanwhile, it was revealed that Martin Short and Steve Martin have postponed their sold-out ‘The Best of Steve Martin and Martin Short’ shows, which were scheduled for February 28 at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis.

Hennepin Arts said tickets will be honored for a rescheduled date to be determined.

Who was Katherine Short?

Katherine Short was the adopted daughter of actor Martin Short and his late wife Nancy Dolman. She was 42 years old. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and gender sexuality studies from New York University in 2006, followed by a master's in social work from the University of Southern California in 2010.

Katherine worked as a licensed clinical social worker in private practice and part-time at Amae Health, where she focused on community outreach, family support groups, peer support, and psychotherapy.

She was one of three children adopted by Martin Short and Nancy Dolman, who were married for 30 years until Nancy's death from ovarian cancer in 2010. Her siblings are Oliver Patrick Short, 39, and Henry Hayter Short, 36.

Though she largely stayed out of the spotlight, Katherine occasionally appeared alongside her father at events, including the afterparty for The Producers in 2003 and the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February 2011.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj

Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.

Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.
Stay updated with US News covering politics, crime, weather, local events, and sports highlights. Get the latest on Donald Trump and American politics along with Horoscope 2026.
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