Tyrese Haliburton's fiancee pays tribute to friend who died at bachelorette party
Tyrese Haliburton's fiancee pays tribute to friend who died at bachelorette party
Oscar Maung-HaleyThu, June 18, 2026 at 10:18 AM UTC
0
Jade Jones (L) has issued a heartfelt tribute to her close friend, Makenzi Kern (R), who sadly passed away recently -Credit:Instagram/jadeeejones (Instagram/jadeeejones)
Jade Jones, the fiancee of NBA All-Star Tyrese Haliburton, has issued an emotional tribute to close friend Makenzi Kern, who tragically passed away at the former's bachelorette party.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Kern, who was a college cheerleader at Iowa State University with Jones, suddenly died on June 8 while on the Caribbean island of St. Barthelemy with her friends, according to her obituary. The trip to the Caribbean was a bachelorette party celebrating Jones and Indiana Pacers star Haliburton's upcoming nuptials later this summer.
Neither drugs nor alcohol was reported as a factor in Kern's death, with it being reported that she passed away after suffering a sudden health complication.
• Tyrese Haliburton's girlfriend faces tragedy as friend dies on her Bachelorette trip
• NYPD takes unprecedented action for Knicks parade with 10,000 officers deployed after fan arrests
"She was surrounded by her closest friends on a once-in-a-lifetime trip," read Kern's obituary. "To know Makenzi was to love her. She lived life to the fullest; she was silly, goofy and could brighten everyone's spirits when she was around."
With Kern's friends mourning the loss of someone who clearly left a mark on nearly everyone she met, Jones took to social media on Wednesday to issue a poignant and heartfelt tribute to her friend, admitting she "can't even imagine" what her wedding will look like without her former college cheerleading teammate by her side.
Advertisement
In a lengthy tribute to her friend, Jones wrote: "Everyone knows how Kenzi and my story started. I never knew our hilarious hair pulling fight would've turned into a friendship that has changed my life forever.
"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.
"Some of my favorite memories with Kenzi are the simple ones- spending a summer living in her city, leaving our mark on the capital district, running around our cars at stop lights, cheering on the bandshell together, obsessing over The Office, dancing on countertops to Hannah Montana, and watching her light up anytime she got to be on a boat. She truly found happiness in all the little things in life."
She continued: "She 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. 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.
Jade Jones and Tyrese Haliburton are due to get married this summer -Credit:Getty Images
"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.
"I am forever grateful that I got to love someone as truly special as Kenzi, and to have been loved back by her. Kenz was truly a light in this world, and that light will continue to shine in everyone who was lucky enough to know her. 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.'"
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
