Tyrese Haliburton's Fiancée Jade Jones Breaks Silence After Friend's Death During Her Bachelorette Trip: 'Truly a Light in This World'

Charmaine PattersonThu, June 18, 2026 at 1:08 PM UTC

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(L-R): Tyrese Haliburton and Jade Jones; Mackenzi Kern.Credit: Kristy Sparow/Getty; Makenzi Kern/Instagram -

Makenzi Kern, a close friend of Tyrese Haliburton's fiancée Jade Jones, died of "health complications" on June 8, according to her obituary

Kern died during a trip to St. Barth's, where Jones was celebrating her bachelorette party

Speaking out on Kern's death for the first time, Jones remembered her late friend for her "gift of bringing happiness to every room she was in" in a heartfelt Instagram post on Wednesday, June 17

Jade Jones, the fiancée of Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, is paying tribute to her late friend, Makenzi "Kenzi" Kern, who died earlier this month.

Kern died "unexpectedly from health complications on June 8th" during a "once in a lifetime trip" to St. Barth's, according to her obituary on Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home & Crematory's website. She died two days after her 26th birthday.

At the time of Kern's death, Jones was celebrating her bachelorette party in St. Barth's.

On Wednesday, June 17, Jones spoke out for the first time about the loss, recalling the beginning of her friendship with Kern in a touching Instagram post.

Makenzi Kern and Jade JonesCredit: Jade Jones/Instagram

"Everyone knows how Kenzi and my story started," Jones began in the caption of the post, which featured images of her and Kern smiling together through the years. "I never knew our hilarious hair pulling fight would've turned into a friendship that has changed my life forever."

She continued, "Kenzi was the funniest, goofiest person I've ever met. She was always making me belly laugh. She had such a gift of bringing happiness to every room she was in."

Looking back at some of her memories with Kern, Jones recalled running around their cars at stoplights, "obsessing over" The Office and dancing on countertops to Hannah Montana. Jones shared that one of Kern's happy places was on a boat.

"She truly found happiness in all the little things in life," Jones added.

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Jones then shared how Kern supported her and Haliburton, 26, during "every chapter" of their relationship, including the day she and the NBA star.

"She was our biggest cheerleader and showed up for me in every big moment in my life," Jones wrote. "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."

Jones' post included photos of her and Kern posing in their Iowa State University cheerleading uniforms, enjoying a beach day, their names with a heart around them and celebrating Jones' bridal shower.

Jones said her late friend will forever live in her memories as she looked back fondly on their friendship. "I will never stop laughing about all our memories together," she wrote.

"I am forever grateful that I got to love someone as truly special as Kenzi, and to have been loved back by her," Jones continued. "Kenz was truly a light in this world, and that light will continue to shine in everyone who was lucky enough to know her."

Concluding her message, Jones called Kern a "once-in-a-lifetime kind of friend," and thanked Kern for always being there for her.

"I'll always miss you but I know you'll be with me, wherever I go. "See ya" 💛🌞🌙🌼," Jones wrote.

Haliburton showed support for his future wife in the comment section of Jones' post and simply wrote, "I love you."

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”