Katherine ShortDead at 42

Martin Short's daughter, Katherine, has taken her own life ... TMZ has learned.

The 42-year-old died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

LAPD and the fire department responded to her Hollywood Hills home Monday, shortly after 6:40 PM PT, where she was found deceased.

A representative tells TMZ ... "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. Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world."

Katherine -- the daughter of Short and Nancy Dolman, Martin's wife of 30 years who passed away in 2010 of ovarian cancer -- worked as a social worker in Los Angeles after receiving her bachelor's degree from NYU and her master's in social work from USC several years later.

Katherine was involved with a nonprofit organization called Bring Change To Mind, which works to break down stigmas connected to mental health issues.

While her father is obviously very famous, Katherine mostly stayed out of the public eye ... attending a few events with her father throughout the years. She was the eldest of Short's three children.

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We last saw Katherine in January 2020 outside Craig's ... a world-famous restaurant in West Hollywood.

This is the second personal tragedy Short has felt in the last several weeks ... having recently paid tribute to his longtime friend Catherine O'Hara after she passed away last month.

Short has comedy shows with Steve Martin scheduled for Friday in Milwaukee and Saturday in Minneapolis. Staff members for the theaters told us it's unclear whether the shows will take place.

Katherine was 42.

RIP

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. https://standingabovethecrowd.com/?p=16621