Jade Jones, fiancée of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, has paid tribute to her late friend Makenzi Kern after Kern died during the St. Bart’s getaway Jones hosted for her bachelorette party earlier this month. In her post, Jones described Kern as the ki
Jade Jones kept posting photos from the trip that was supposed to be about celebrating—until the tribute turned into something far heavier.
In a message shared after the death of her late friend. Makenzi Kern. Jones honored Kern in the days following the St. Bart’s getaway Jones hosted earlier this month for her bachelorette party. Kern died during that trip. and Jones’ post arrived with the kind of specificity that reads like both memory and warning: the gap between what was planned and what is now permanent.
Jones wrote that Kern’s death came after health complications, and she shared the point from the circumstances surrounding the passing that “the family does not suspect that foul play, drugs, or alcohol contributed to her death.”
Her caption carried years of friendship in snapshots. starting with how their bond began long before it became the kind of connection that sits at the center of a life. “Everyone knows how Kenzi and my story started. ” Jones wrote. recalling a start that began with “hilarious hair pulling” and grew into “a friendship that has changed my life forever.” She described Kern as “the funniest. goofiest person I’ve ever met. ” someone who “had such a gift of bringing happiness to every room she was in.”.
Jones laid out the moments she still can’t stop replaying: spending a summer living in Kern’s city. leaving “our mark on the capital district. ” running around cars at stop lights. and cheering “on the bandshell together.” She also remembered their shared obsession with “The Office. ” dancing “on countertops to Hannah Montana. ” and watching Kern light up whenever she got to be on a boat.
The tribute also made clear that Kern wasn’t just close to Jones—she was part of the world Haliburton and Jones built. too. Jones said she met both Kern and Tyrese Haliburton at Iowa State. She and Kern were teammates on the college’s cheerleading squad. and Jones said that shared setting forged their deep bond.
“She loved and supported Tyrese and me through every chapter,” Jones wrote. “She was our biggest cheerleader and showed up for me in every big moment in my life.” Jones added that she can’t picture her wedding day without Kern. writing. “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.”.
In the same post. Jones said Kern would always be woven into her memory—into “my laughter. my stories. and in the person I am because of her.” She concluded by writing that she will always cherish Kern and feel her presence. telling her. “I’ll always miss you but I know you’ll be with me. wherever I go. ‘See ya’”.
According to the obituary, Kern died on June 8, “around the time the group was slated to return to the United States and two days after her birthday.” No additional details about the circumstances of her death were provided at this time.
Haliburton and Jones began dating in 2019, and he proposed to Jones last year. It remains unclear when the couple will tie the knot.
Jade Jones Tyrese Haliburton Makenzi Kern bachelorette party St. Bart's Indiana Pacers Iowa State cheerleading