Martin Short‘s daughter, Katherine Short, has died. She was 42. As friends and family mourn her passing, a close friend has also shared more about Katherine and her private mental health struggles.
Katherine Short’s Mental Health Struggles
GettyIn an article published on Daily Mail on Tuesday, February 24, the publication reports that before Katherine died by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, she had checked into multiple treatment facilities for help with her mental health. The publication writes that she had “quietly battled mental health issues for years,” a close friend informed them.
The publication later names a friend of Katherine’s, Rande Levine, who described her as someone who “loved to laugh.” Levine continued, “She was such a wonderful, giving, loving human being. I’m picturing her face right now, laughing. It’s just so devastating to find out she took her own life.”
Levine continued, “I knew she was battling with that stuff. But she put her soul into helping others who were experiencing the same things she was.”
Later in her interview with the Daily Mail, Levine revealed that they were aware of Katherine’s mental health problems, but that she was also someone who appeared to be so happy. “I knew she was battling with this. She would talk about it. But you would never know based on how she presented herself, and how funny she was,” Levine said. “She always was smiling, always a pleasure to be around. Every experience or connection I had with Katherine was always positive. She was so soft spoken. She was calm, she laughed a lot.”
Remembering Katherine Short’s Life
GettyLevine also commented on Katherine’s relationship with her famous father, calling them “so close” and noting how the actor had been “so supportive” of his daughter.
Katherine was found dead in her Hollywood Hills home, and a neighbor spoke to Daily Mail about their limited interactions with her and the sadness they felt upon her passing. “Katherine pretty much kept to herself. She had been sick, struggling with some sort of physical illness,” the unnamed neighbor said. “She must have been in so much anguish to have done this. It’s just so sad.”
Katherine’s passing was confirmed by her family’s rep, who penned a short but heartbreaking statement about her sudden death. “It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the rep told BBC News. “The Short family is devastated by this loss and asks for privacy at this time.”
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to reach the toll-free Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week (dial 888-628-9454 for assistance in Spanish). You can also speak with a trained crisis counselor anytime by texting HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
