Martin Short’s daughter Katherine Hartley Short seemingly kept her mental health struggles tight to her chest before her tragic death.
One of Katherine’s neighbors exclusively told Us Weekly that the comedian’s 42-year-old daughter gave “no indication of struggle” before she died on Monday, February 23. (The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed to Us that Katherine’s death was officially ruled a suicide on Wednesday).
“Depression is often a silent” and “hidden killer,” the neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous but shared they’d lived near Katherine for over 10 years, added.
“Katherine was a private person but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t friendly. She was quite outgoing,” the neighbor noted, telling Us, they’d sometimes “hear and see her laughing with friends” on her front porch.
“She always said ‘Hi,’” the resident said, while praising Katherine’s gardening and her love of books.
“She was a voracious reader and could talk deeply about the books she’d read,” they told Us, sharing that Katherine enjoyed nonfiction literature. “She had the nicest, most beautiful orange tree in her front yard. It was the envy of all the neighbors. Somehow the bugs that affected our trees did not land in hers.”
The neighbor also recalled Katherine being “festive,” decorating the outside of her home in “fun and whimsical ways for holidays.”
“She proudly hung her Canadian flag yearlong,” they added. (Photos of Katherine’s residence taken by photographers on Tuesday showed a red heart wreath with pink flowers on her front door in honor of Valentine’s Day, the blossoming fruit hanging from her thriving orange tree and the Canadian flag waving above her garage.)
Others who lived near Katherine remembered her as a “great neighbor and gardener,” with her next-door neighbor exclusively telling Us that her death is “incredibly sad.”
“She was very nice but this is a quiet neighborhood and to be fair, we don’t see too many neighbors usually out,” a second neighbor said of Katherine, noting she pretty much kept to herself and wasn’t a disturbance to the tight-knit community.
At least two other neighbors remembered seeing Katherine on her front porch, where she’d always wave and say hi as they walked by.
A rep for Martin, 75, confirmed Katherine’s death in a statement on Tuesday.
“It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short. The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time,” the statement read. “Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world.”
Martin’s daughter worked as a licensed clinical social worker in Los Angeles and did part-time work at a health clinic, aiding in community outreach, support groups and psychotherapy.
Katherine also reportedly worked with a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the ongoing stigmas about mental health.
Martin adopted Katherine with his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died in August 2010 after a three-year battle with ovarian cancer. The couple also shared sons Oliver, 39, and Henry, 36, whom they welcomed via adoption.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
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