Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton broke his silence following the death of his fiancée Jade Jones’ friend Makenzi Kern during a recent bachelorette party.
“We will always love and miss you Kenz,” Haliburton, 26, wrote via his Instagram Story on Wednesday, June 17. “Forever thankful for you.”
The athlete wrote his memorial message over a photo of Kern and Jones hugging.
It was reported on Tuesday, June 16, that Kern died unexpectedly at age 26 while attending a bachelorette party hosted by Jones, 28, in St. Barts earlier this month. Kern reportedly died due to “health complications” though her family did not suspect drugs, alcohol or foul play were contributing factors, per TMZ. (An official cause of death has not yet been released.)
Kern shared numerous highlights from the bachelorette trip via social media before her death. A public obituary described Kern as someone who’d “lived life to the fullest” and was “silly, goofy and could brighten everyone’s spirits.”
“Makenzi Nichole Kern, affectionately known as ‘Kenz’, age 26, passed away unexpectedly from health complications on June 8th, 2026 two days after her 26th birthday, June 6th, 2000,” the obituary read. “She was surrounded by her closest friends on a once in a lifetime trip to St. Barthelemy Island.”
Jones and Kern became friends as cheerleaders at Iowa State University, where Haliburton also played basketball from 2018 to 2020.
On Wednesday, Jones spoke out about Kern’s death for the first time, paying tribute to “the funniest, goofiest person I’ve ever met.”
“She was always making me belly laugh,” Jones wrote via Instagram. “She had such a gift of bringing happiness to every room she was in.”
Jones recalled how Kern “loved and supported Tyrese and me through every chapter.”
“She was our biggest cheerleader and showed up for me in every big moment in my life,” Jones reflected. “I can’t even imagine our wedding day without her there celebrating with us. The day will not be the same without her, but I know she will show us she is there somehow. She has been there for all of our moments since the day I met Tyrese. But Kenz will forever live on in my memories, my laughter, my stories, and in the person I am because of her. I will never stop laughing about all our memories together.”
Jones closed her memorial post by acknowledging that she would be “forever grateful” to have made such a “special” friend.
“Kenz was truly a light in this world, and that light will continue to shine in everyone who was lucky enough to know her,” she concluded. “I love you forever until the end of time Kenzi. You are truly so beautiful inside and out & 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.’”
Haliburton replied in the comments section, writing to Jones, “I love you.”
