Jade Jones, the fiancée of NBA star Tyrese Haliburton, has spoken publicly for the first time after the death of her friend Makenzi Kern during Jones’ bachelorette trip to St. Barts. Kern was 26.
Jones shared an emotional tribute on Instagram on Wednesday night, remembering Kern after her death during the luxury getaway.
In her post, Jones wrote: “I am forever grateful that I got to love someone as truly special as Kenzi, and to have been loved back by her.”
She continued: “You are truly so beautiful inside and out and a once-in-a-lifetime kind of friend. Thank you for always showing up for me, for making me laugh until I cry, and for being such an unforgettable part of my life. I’ll always miss you, but I know you’ll be with me wherever I go. ‘See ya.’”
Alongside the tribute, Jones posted several photos from their friendship. Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers guard, responded in the comments with a brief message: “I love you.”
Makenzi Kern (right) died while on a bachelorette party trip with her friend Jade Jones (left)
Kern passed away unexpectedly from health complications, a source told TMZ. Her family does not suspect foul play or that her death was caused by drugs or alcohol
Makenzi is seen here on the far right alongside the rest of the group and bride to be Jade Jones, center
According to an online obituary, Kern was pronounced dead on June 8, two days after her birthday, while “surrounded by her closest friends on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to St. Barthelemy Island.”
Images shared to social media by Jones, the bride to be, on June 6 show the group of friends clad in bikinis enjoying the sunshine on beaches and by the swimming pool of the property they were staying on.
A source familiar with the situation told TMZ Kern passed away unexpectedly from health complications, and her family does not suspect foul play, nor do they believe her death is related to drugs or alcohol.
She is now survived by her parents, step parents, sister, step siblings, grandparents and her boyfriend.
Like Haliburton and his fiancée, Kern attended Iowa State, where she was a cheerleading teammate of Jones’. ‘Kenz,’ as she was known, was working as a membership director for a YMCA branch in Nebraska.
Jones and Haliburton have been together for more than seven years, dating back to his time as a rising guard for the Iowa State Cyclones.
Haliburton would go on to be drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2020 and was later traded to the Indian Pacers, whom he led to the 2025 NBA Finals.
Unfortunately, he suffered an Achilles injury during the Finals loss to Oklahoma City and consequently missed the 2025-26 season.
Jones (center, in white) is pictured on her bachelorette trip with Kern (back, second from left)
Kern attended Iowa State University with Jones and Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton
Pacers star Haliburton replied in the comments of Jones’ emotional post: ‘I love you’
In the aftermath of Kern’s shock death, theories about what may have caused it have run rampant.
A woman who claims to know the family posted online that Kern died of a sudden heart attack.
Rumors have spread online – with some speculating that Kern’s death may be a result of a reaction to the controversial mRNA COVID vaccines.
‘Sounds sudden and vaxxy,’ one X account posted.
Laura Miers, an outspoken critic of the COVID vaccines, also wrote that ‘the New Normal really blows.
‘We will be witnessing record premature death for the rest of our natural lives.’
There is no evidence to suggest Kern died as a result of receiving the COVID vaccine.
