Haunting new details have emerged surrounding the suicide of Martin Short's 42-year-old daughter Katherine Hartley Short.
She was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home in the Hollywood Hills on Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed.
Now law enforcement insiders have claimed she had not 'been heard from in 24 hours' before a friend of hers called the police.
The authorities had to make their way past a locked door in order to discover her body, as well as a 'note' and a gun near her, according to TMZ.
Foul play was ruled out by homicide detectives who responded to the scene of Katherine's death, the law enforcement sources said.
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Short and the LAPD for comment.
Katherine, who held a master's degree from the University of Southern California, was a licensed clinical social worker and worked with a mental health charity.
Friends spoke exclusively to the Daily Mail after Katherine's suicide to lay bare the heartbreaking struggles she endured in private.
She was last seen publicly with her father while celebrating her 40th birthday in 2023 at the Grand Master Recorders in Hollywood, accompanied by group including Catherine O'Hara, Bo Welch, Joni Mitchell, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn.
Short adopted Katherine and his sons Oliver, 39, and Henry, 36, with his late wife Nancy Dolman, who died in 2010 aged 58 after a battle with ovarian cancer.
Friends have been seen visiting Short, 75, at his Los Angeles home as his loved ones rally around him in the wake of the shocking tragedy.
Steven Spielberg, Kurt Russell and Eugene Levy all paid their respects, as did The Late Show with David Letterman bandleader Paul Schaffer.
Insiders told the Daily Mail that Steve Martin and Meryl Streep - Short's co-stars on Only Murders in the Building - are also among the intimates supporting him now.
A source described Short as 'inconsolable' over Katherine's death, saying: 'This is as much of a horror to Martin and his sons, her brothers, as humanly possible.'
The insider, who is close to the family, told the Daily Mail: 'For someone who brings so much joy to so many, who is always trying to lift others up and make them laugh, this loss has completely shattered him. He is gutted, and as you would expect, his closest friends are surrounding him with love and support.'
Katherine's autopsy has been completed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office and her body is ready to be released, the Daily Mail confirmed.
Representatives for Short's family confirmed the news of Katherine's death in a statement provided to the Daily Mail this Tuesday.
'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,' they said.
'Katherine was beloved by all and will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world,' the statement added.