Martin Short opens up about daughter Katherine Short's death by suicide: 'She did the best she could until she couldn't'

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains references to suicide.

Martin Short is opening up about the untimely demise of his daughter, Katherine Short, months after her tragic death by suicide in February at the age of 42.

In an emotional interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Short opened up for the very first time about how Katherine's loss has been "a nightmare for the family". He also revealed his daughter’s long struggle with mental illness.

Martin Short links mental health struggles to cancer battle

Linking mental health to cancer, he said, "But the understanding [is] that mental health and cancer, like my wife’s, are both diseases, and sometimes with diseases they are terminal. And my daughter fought for a long time with extreme mental health, borderline personality disorder, other things, and did the best she could until she couldn't."

Abou Katherine Short's demise

As per reports, her body was found at her Hollywood Hills home by LA County Fire Department paramedics. According to the Los Angeles coroner, Katherine died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Her death was confirmed in a statement that read, "It is with profound grief that we confirm the passing of Katherine Hartley Short,” the family said. “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 a licensed social worker in Los Angeles and devoted much of her career to mental health advocacy. She worked with a nonprofit organisation, focused on reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness.

She was the eldest of three children adopted by Short and his late wife, Nancy Dolman, who died of ovarian cancer in 2010.

Martin Short to release new documentary

On the work front, Martin, who stars in 'Only Murders In The Building', is set to appear in the upcoming documentary 'Marty, Life Is Short', premiering May 12. It chronicles Short’s five-decades-long career in Hollywood, through archival footage and interviews with longtime collaborators.

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