Topic / Subject
Martin Short’s daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, has died at 42. The family confirmed the loss in a statement asking for privacy, and People reports the L.A. County medical examiner ruled the death a suicide.

TL;DR
A devastating, real-world tragedy: the Short family is grieving and requesting privacy, while reporting confirms the death was ruled a suicide.

Key Details

• Multiple outlets report Katherine Hartley Short, Martin Short’s daughter, died at age 42.
• The family confirmed her death in a statement and asked for privacy, describing her as beloved and remembered for bringing “light and joy.”
• People reports the Los Angeles coroner ruled the death a suicide.
• Reporting notes Katherine worked as a licensed clinical social worker.

Breakdown
This story isn’t “celebrity drama” — it’s a family loss being handled with restraint. The public-facing message is focused on grief and privacy, not spectacle.

Several mainstream outlets are aligned on the core facts: Katherine died at 42, the family confirmed it, and the coroner’s ruling (as reported) lists suicide. That last detail matters because it shapes how the story is discussed, but it doesn’t change the family’s central ask: space.

Because this involves suicide, it’s also a reminder to handle coverage carefully: no unnecessary specifics, no pile-on culture, and no turning a tragedy into content.

If you or someone you know is struggling, in the U.S. you can call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). If you’re outside the U.S., local crisis lines are available in many countries.

What to Watch Next

• Any additional family statement (or none at all, if they maintain privacy).
• Whether outlets stick to responsible coverage standards and avoid unnecessary incident specifics.
• Any charitable or memorial efforts the family chooses to support, if they make that public.

Sources
People — Martin Short’s Daughter Katherine Dies at 42: ‘The Short Family Is Devastated by This Loss’
Entertainment Weekly — Martin Short’s daughter Katherine dies at 42, family ‘devastated’ by loss
Los Angeles Times — Martin Short’s daughter Katherine Short found dead

Comment
Where’s the line between reporting relevant facts and respecting privacy in tragedies like this?