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have rallied around him in the wake of an unimaginable tragedy, as insiders reveal the depth of his heartache following the death of his daughter.
, 42 – the oldest of Short's three children – was found dead at her Hollywood Hills home on Monday evening from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the LAPD
On Tuesday evening, a stream of his closest friends, including , and Eugene Levy, arrived at his son Henry's home to offer comfort and support as the family grieved.
'Short is inconsolable,' one source close to the family told the Daily Mail.
'This is as much of a horror to Martin and his sons, her brothers, as humanly possible,' the insider said. Short has two sons, Henry, 36, and Oliver, 39
'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.'
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Martin Short's daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, 42, was found dead inside her Hollywood Hills home on Monday night, with LAPD confirming she died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound
Looking visibly weary, Short was later spotted strolling through the home's rose garden beside his driver, clad in a flannel shirt and jeans, after arriving around 5pm at his youngest son Henry's home
Heartbroken Short was comforted by close friends including Steven Spielberg and Eugene Levy, who gathered at his home around dusk on Tuesday evening to support the actor and his family
A visibly weary Short was dressed in a flannel shirt and jeans as he arrived around 5pm at his son Henry's home. The actor was later seen deep in thought walking through the rose garden.
Shortly afterward, Kurt Russell pulled up in his gray Genesis G90 luxury sedan, dressed in a gray T-shirt, black sweatpants and gray sneakers, to offer his condolences before departing roughly ten minutes later.
Another wave of close friends soon followed, with Steven Spielberg and Schitt's Creek actor Eugene Levy arriving shortly afterward.
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Levy, wearing a navy suit, retrieved bags of food from the back seat of his car before heading inside.
Close behind him was legendary director Spielberg, who wore a navy varsity jacket layered over a vest and button-up shirt, paired with light-wash jeans, as the two joined Short and his sons for an intimate dinner.
The Los Angeles Coroner's Office has completed Katherine's autopsy, and her body is ready to be released, TMZ reported Wednesday.
Short's close friend Kurt Russell also stopped by
Another wave of close friends soon followed, with Eugene Levy arriving shortly afterward in a navy suit, retrieving bags of food from the back seat before heading inside
Spielberg was close behind and walked into the house to join Levy, Short and his family for dinner
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Insiders told the Daily Mail that Short's other two closest friends, Steve Martin and Meryl Streep, are also giving him all the comfort they can as he mourns the loss of his daughter.
'Both Steve and Meryl are going to make sure to be there for him throughout this heartbreaking time,' the source said.
They also referenced his wife Nancy's tragic passing from cancer in 2010 and how that has added onto the weight of his loss.
'Bringing his children into his world through adoption with his wife, Nancy, who passed away, was the greatest thing he has ever done, and to lose Katherine is just as bad and sad as it was to lose Nancy.
'It is just a terrible time for Martin right now, but that is to be expected.'
Neighbors showed up to support the family, leaving letters and flowers in front of Katherine's Hollywood home.
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One neighbor wrote: 'Last night a light went out here on Earth, but one turned on in the sky. Today that light has a name: Katherine Short.'
Another touching letter spoke in length about their regret in not texting Katherine when they noticed her packages had been left untouched on her front porch before they realized she had passed away.
'Now I'm wondering if texting you first could have made a difference. I very much regret not texting you back last, not following up about your 1st edition, not being a better neighbor... but no-one could have been a better neighbor than you.'
Insiders told the Daily Mail that Short's other close friends, Steve Martin and Meryl Streep, are also stepping in to offer support
Another heartfelt letter read: 'To whom it may concern, Katherine was an incredible neighbor who comforted my family and I in our grief.
'If there is a public service, we would love to attend,' the letter added before finishing off the letter with multiple ways to contact the writer.
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Katherine's Hollywood home where she was found dead on Monday night
Katherine was a licensed therapist, with her loved ones remembering her as 'giving, loving' and devoted to supporting those facing mental health issues
'She was such a wonderful, giving, loving human being. I'm picturing her face right now, laughing,' said Rande Levine, founder of Karma Rescue, a dog charity on whose board Katherine served.




