Phone Call Reveals What Happened Inside Martin Short's Daughter’s Home the Night She Passed Away

Something about the call didn't sit right from the start. Before first responders even arrived, a dispatcher had already shared a detail that would cast a devastating shadow over the entire night.

The revelation comes after the Daily Mail obtained the 911 audio connected to the death of Martin Short's daughter, Katherine Short, who died Monday, February 23, 2026, at 42.

But the most chilling part of the story wasn't in the family's statement; it was buried in the emergency exchange.

Katherine Short Was A Beloved Daughter

The 75-year-old Martin has built a career on laughter, from "SCTV" to "Saturday Night Live," becoming one of comedy's most recognizable faces.

Behind that public persona was a devoted father. On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Martin's representatives confirmed the tragic news in a statement to the Daily Mail. The statement read:

"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."

At that point, few details were public. That would soon change.

A Call at 6:41 p.m.

According to the Daily Mail, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call at approximately 6:41 p.m. at a Hollywood, California, address.

A department spokesperson confirmed crews were dispatched but declined to identify the individual involved due to privacy concerns.

What happened inside the home, however, was already being relayed over emergency lines.

The Detail That Changes Everything

It was during the dispatch that the tone shifted.

A Los Angeles Fire Department dispatcher was heard telling first responders that the nature of Katherine's wound was "self-inflicted."

Even more haunting was another line from the call: the person who reported the incident had been "with the patient and unable to enter the bedroom" of the home.

Those words, unable to enter the bedroom, suggest a moment of panic, confusion, and heartbreak unfolding behind closed doors. The call itself was clinical and procedural. But between the lines, the gravity of the situation was unmistakable.

A Family's Private Grief

For fans who have long adored Martin's humor and warmth, the tragedy feels especially jarring. Publicly, he has been the embodiment of joy. Privately, he is now navigating an unimaginable loss.

While the emergency call provides clarity about what happened inside the home, it also underscores just how fragile life can be, even in families we think we know. The Short family has asked for privacy as they mourn.

As the heartbreaking details surrounding Katherine's final night continue to unfold, the impact of her loss is already being felt far beyond her Hollywood home — reaching into her father's professional life as well.

Milwaukee Show Postponed

Amid the tragedy, an upcoming live performance featuring Martin and his longtime collaborator Steve Martin will no longer take place as scheduled.

According to a notice posted on the Pabst Theater Group website, the duo's February 27 show in Milwaukee has been postponed due to "unforeseen circumstances."

Their statement confirms that tickets will be honored for a future rescheduled date and that further updates will be shared when available. Ticket holders were directed to contact tickets@ptglive.com with any questions.

The show, titled "The Best of Steve Martin & Martin Short," is described as a fast-paced, comedic showcase highlighting the duo's decades-long friendship and on-stage chemistry, a partnership that began with the 1986 film "Three Amigos" and evolved into a touring collaboration that launched in 2015.

For now, however, the focus remains on family as Martin navigates an intensely personal loss.

A Father Who Put Family First

The tragedy comes at a time when Martin has often spoken about keeping his personal life grounded and balanced. In a 2022 interview with People, he reflected on choosing family over constant career ambition.

"And I think it's unbecoming at 72 to be 100 percent obsessed with your career. My life, my children, my friends — I have great joy in that,” Martin said. Those words now resonate even more deeply.

In September 2021, Katherine appeared with her father at the HempHera Kosmetikos pre-Emmy luxury lounge in West Hollywood. It marked the last time she was photographed publicly with Martin.

For those looking back at Katherine's life beyond this tragic moment, her journey — both personal and professional — reveals a path shaped by compassion, education, and quiet dedication.

Katherine Elizabeth Short Is a Two-Time Graduate

Katherine attended New York University, where she studied Psychology and Gender Sexuality. She graduated in 2006 and pursued a Master's at the University of Southern California School of Social Work, which she attained in 2010.

During her Master's studies, Katherine built her work profile. She interned at a pro-bono law firm, providing family therapy, advocacy, and case management for various disadvantaged groups, including foster youth, low-income families, and political refugees.

She then trained at the West LA Veterans Administration, offering individual and group psychotherapy for veterans with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. After graduating, she worked at Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital for four years.

After passing her licensure exam, Katherine moved to Camden Center, where she offered group and individual cognitive behavioral therapy. She practiced privately in Los Angeles, where she specialized in treating anxiety, depression, suicidality, and more.

Katherine Elizabeth Short Lost Her Mother in 2010

In August 2010, news broke that Katherine's mother, Nancy, had passed. At the time, her family kept the details of her death private, but her father later revealed she died fighting ovarian cancer. Concerning how his kids grieved, Martin noted they each had their way of dealing with the loss.

"One deals with it more aggressively; someone else maybe doesn't talk about it, but it doesn't mean that they're not all grieving," he said. In a 2014 interview, Martin, who was once assumed gay, shared how he, Katherine, and her siblings celebrated Nancy's life.

He explained that his wife had said she didn't want a funeral or a memorial service; she wanted her life celebrated, even suggesting a party. Despite the heartache of losing her, Martin honored her wishes, throwing a party with close friends and family at their lakehouse.

Katherine Elizabeth Short Would Have Gone to Broadway

It's unclear when her interest in the arts began, but Katherine played piano and wrote her own music. At 22, she reportedly expressed her desire to join Broadway; however, it appears to have fizzled.

Sharing insight about her childhood with Conan O'Brien, her dad said he encouraged Katherine and her siblings to go into show business. However, only her brother, Oliver Patrick Short, joined the entertainment industry, but as a producer in sports.

Katherine's other brother, Henry Sayter Short, is a Veterinary Assistant. Speaking about raising them, her dad joked, "You must be sensitive to your children's needs and make sure your personal assistant fulfills them," saying that's how he approached "Hollywood parenting."

As the family moves through this difficult period, public attention continues to center on Katherine's life and legacy. In the end, the memories captured over the years remain a lasting reminder of the bond she shared with her father.

In the end, the 911 call may have answered the how, but it cannot begin to explain the why or the depth of the heartbreak left behind. Beyond the dispatcher's clinical words and the 6:41 p.m. timestamp is a family grieving a daughter, a sister, and a woman whose life extended far beyond a single tragic night.

For fans, the details are shocking. For Martin, they are profoundly personal. As tributes continue and performances pause, what remains is not just the echo of a phone call, but the memory of a life described by those who loved her as full of “light and joy.”

And for now, that is what her family hopes the world will hold onto most.