NBA player Tyrese Haliburton's fiancée Jade Jones shared a heartbreaking tribute to her friend Makenzi Kern, who died at the age of 26 while on Jones' Bachelorette trip to St. Barts.
ByJun 18, 2026 1:39 AMTags
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Jade Jones will always have a special place in her heart for her friend Makenzi Kern.
Less than two weeks after Kern died at the age of 26 from undisclosed health complications while on Jones’ Bachelorette trip to St. Barts, Tyrese Haliburton's fiancée remembered her friend with a heartfelt tribute, saying Kern’s friendship “changed my life forever.”
“Kenzi was the funniest, goofiest person I’ve ever met,” Jones posted on Instagram June 17, alongside a photo carousel of the two through the years. “She was always making me belly laugh. She had such a gift of bringing happiness to every room she was in.”
The 28-year-old added that her favorite memories with Kern “are the simple ones,” such as spending the summer together, watching The Office, singing along to Hannah Montana and spending time on the water.
Jones was amazed that Kern—who died June 8—“truly found happiness in all the little things in life.”
The Iowa State University alum was also grateful for how supportive Kern was of Jones’ relationship with Haliburton, writing, “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,” she continued. “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.”
Jade Jones/Instagram
Still, Jones felt sure that Kern would live on through her, “in my memories, my laughter, my stories, and in the person I am because of her.”
She ended her tribute with a message for Kern, writing, “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.’”
Kristy Sparow/Getty Images for LVMH x Vogue x NBC
Haliburton—who’d gotten engaged to Jones in July at their college alma mater—showed his support for his fiancée, adding in the comments, “I love you.”
At the time of Kern’s death, she had been celebrating Jones on her Bachelorette trip to the Caribbean, as seen in photos shared on Instagram.
Kern’s family confirmed in her obituary that she had “passed away unexpectedly from health complications,” just two days after her 26th birthday. She is survived by her mother, father, sister, boyfriend, step siblings and grandparents.
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