Martin Short's Daughter's Mental State Addressed By Her Neighbors

As Martin Short and his loved ones mourn the loss of his daughter, Katherine Short, details about the tragic incident continue to unfold.

According to new reports, the Canadian comedian's oldest child had a vibrant personality that made her an unforgettable presence in her neighborhood.

Neighbors from Katherine Short's Hollywood Hills community recently broke their silence about her death, revealing that the daughter of Martin Short displayed no signs of trouble.

Martin wasn't the only one who adored his late daughter, as she held a special place in the hearts of her neighbors. Unfortunately, she never gave them a reason to worry about her as she kept her mental health struggles under lock and key.

A neighbor who lived near Katherine for over 10 years told US Weekly that she showed "no indication of struggle" before ending her life on Monday, February 23. "Katherine was a private person, but that doesn't mean she wasn't friendly. She was quite outgoing," the neighbor recalled.

They added that many in the neighborhood could sometimes hear or see the comedian's daughter "laughing with friends" on her front porch. The Hollywood Hills resident noted that Katherine always said "Hi" and was the envy of her neighbors thanks to the "most beautiful orange tree in her front yard."

The same neighbor recalled that Katherine had a vibrant and festive personality, not something you would expect from someone with hidden mental health struggles. They noted that she would decorate her home in "fun and whimsical ways for holidays."

Other neighbors echoed similar sentiments about Katherine's outgoing personality, remembering her as a "great neighbor and gardener." The deceased's next-door neighbor told the outlet that her passing was "incredibly sad," with another resident sharing the same thoughts.

"She was very nice," the resident recalled, noting that Katherine mostly kept to herself and wasn't a nuisance in the community. More neighbors raved about her niceness, claiming she would always wave and greet them whenever she was on the front porch of her house.

The claims of Katherine's neighbors matched the narrative her close pal, Rande Levine, shared. The Blast covered the story, reporting that the deceased's friend had shed light on her hidden mental health battle and how she coped with it.

According to Levine, there were several moments in the 2010s when Katherine would announce it was time to check herself into a rehabilitation center. Levine noted that she did so to boost her spirits and would only tell those closest to her.

On the other hand, the rest of the world remained in the dark about Katherine's mental health struggles thanks to her vibrant personality. "You would never know based on how she presented herself, and how funny she was," Levine said about how Katherine portrayed herself outside.

Another interesting detail about Katherine's life was the 2012 petition she filed to drop her last name. The Blast recently covered the story, reporting that the late clinical social worker had asked a judge to change her name  from "Katherine Elizabeth Short" to "Katherine Elizabeth Hartley."

In her petition, Katherine explained that she did not want her career as a psychiatric social worker to be negatively influenced by Martin's fame. "I am concerned about potential harassment from future patients," she wrote.

A judge granted her request in early 2013, allowing Katherine to forge a path on her own without worrying about her father's popularity. The oldest of Martin's three adopted children frequently avoided the spotlight and was rarely seen in public with her dad.

As stated, Martin's daughter tragically passed away on Monday, February 23, at the age of 42. USA Today reported that the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office confirmed Katherine's manner of death was determined to be suicide.

A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department told the outlet that their officers had "responded to a reported shooting" at a Hollywood Hills address associated with Katherine. They arrived around  6:43 p.m. and "found a deceased female at the location."

A day after the incident, Martin's rep confirmed the news of Katherine's passing in a poignant statement. "The Short family is devastated by this loss, and asks for privacy at this time," the spokesperson said, noting Katherine would be remembered "for the light and joy she brought into the world."

Rest in peace, Katherine Hartley Short.