Martin Short's daughter was found after her father asked friend to check on her, autopsy details

The heartbreaking details of how Martin Short learned of his daughter's tragic death have now been revealed.

Katherine Short, 42, was found dead on Feb. 23 inside her Hollywood Hills home. According to the autopsy report just released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, her father grew worried when he hadn't heard from her in 24 hours and asked a friend to go over to his daughter's residence to check on her.

When the friend arrived, they found a note on Katherine's locked bedroom door, TMZ reports. The friend then called 911. Police arrived and forced entry into Katherine's room, where they found her deceased in bed with a Glock 19 9mm pistol under her chest.

The medical examiner ultimately ruled Katherine's death a suicide, caused by a gunshot would to her head.

A suicide note was also discovered, but its contents have not been made public.

Katherine’s autopsy report notes a previous suicide attempt in 2017 involving pills, as well as her history of mental illness and depression.

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to a representative for Martin Short.

Recalling the last moments with his wife of 30 years, the Only Murders in the Building star said her final words to him, as paramedics rushed into her bedroom, were "Martin, let me go."

Sixteen years later, he noted, "Katherine was saying: 'Dad, let me go,'" Short concluded, "I don't see any difference between mental illness as a disease and cancer as a disease. In some cases, both are terminal. And in some cases, both are survivable."

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But the loss of Katherine was still unimaginable. "This is your child," said Short, who is also father to two sons, Oliver and Henry. "I am trying to head toward the light."

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