What was supposed to be a joyful celebration for Jade Jones, fiancée of NBA star Tyrese Haliburton, has turned into a heartbreaking tragedy after one of her closest friends died during the group’s bachelorette trip in St. Barts.
According to reports, 26-year-old Makenzi Kern passed away unexpectedly on June 8 while vacationing with Jones and several friends on the Caribbean island. Sources close to the family say Kern died due to sudden health complications, and there is currently no suspicion of foul play, drugs, or alcohol being involved.
Before the tragedy, Jones and her friends had been documenting their trip on social media, sharing photos of beach outings, poolside celebrations, and bridal-themed festivities. In one image, balloons spelling out “Bride” decorated Jones’ room as the group celebrated her upcoming wedding to the Indiana Pacers star. Posts from the trip stopped appearing around June 6, just days before Kern’s passing.
Kern was a graduate of Iowa State University, where she was a cheerleader alongside Jones. The two remained close friends after college, and Kern was among the group selected to celebrate Jones’ final days before marriage. Her obituary described her death as occurring during a “once in a lifetime trip” while surrounded by her closest friends.
The devastating loss has cast a shadow over what should have been an exciting chapter for Jones and Haliburton, who got engaged in 2025 after years of dating. Neither Jones nor Haliburton has publicly commented on the tragedy as friends, family members, and fans continue to send condolences to Kern’s loved ones.
