Reports say Katherine Short was found at her Hollywood Hills residence

Katherine Short, the 42-year-old daughter of comedian Martin Short, has died, according to reports emerging this evening.

TMZ has cited a law enforcement source indicating Ms Short died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her residence in the Hollywood Hills.

Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department were called to the property on Monday evening, arriving shortly after 6 pm local time, where she was discovered.

The Short family has not yet confirmed the circumstances surrounding her death.

Ms Short had worked as a social worker in the Los Angeles area and had largely remained out of the public eye in recent years, though she occasionally accompanied her father to red carpet events throughout his career.

She had been adopted by Martin Short and his wife, Nancy Dolma,n alongside her siblings Oliver and Henry.

Nancy, an actress who had been married to the comedian for three decades, died in 2010 following a diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

The family’s loss prompted Ms Short’s longtime comedy collaborator Steve Martin to compose a musical tribute entitled The Great Remember (For Nancy), which appeared on one of his albums.

Ms Short had maintained a relatively private existence away from the entertainment industry spotlight, choosing instead to pursue a career in social work, helping others in the Los Angeles community.

Her father has not yet issued a public statement regarding her passing.

In a 2019 interview, Mr Short spoke of his marriage to Nancy as a “triumph”, revealing that he continues to converse with his late wife and senses her presence around him.

The actor has previously discussed how tragedy reshaped his outlook on life.