A joyous celebration of love and friendship turned into an unfathomable tragedy earlier this month when Makenzi Kern, a 26-year-old former Iowa State University cheerleader, passed away suddenly. Kern was on the Caribbean island of St. Barthélemy (St. Barts) as part of a close-knit group celebrating the bachelorette party of her dear friend, Jade Jones. Jones is the fiancée of Indiana Pacers NBA All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, making the news a shockwave across both the sports and social media worlds.
The group had embarked on what was meant to be a “once in a lifetime trip”, filled with sunshine and laughter ahead of Jones’ upcoming wedding. However, the dream getaway took a devastating turn on June 8, 2026, when Kern suffered unexpected health complications that claimed her life. The sudden loss occurred just two days after Kern had celebrated her 26th birthday on the island, leaving her family and friends absolutely devastated.
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Makenzi Kern: The Circumstances Surrounding Her Death
According to reports from TMZ Sports, which first broke the story, Kern passed away due to health complications. While the exact medical cause has not been publicly disclosed, sources close to the situation have been clear in ruling out several possibilities. Her family has stated that they do not suspect foul play, drugs, or alcohol played any role in her death. This clarification has been a crucial part of the narrative, helping to steer the conversation away from speculation and toward honoring Kern’s memory.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Tyrese Haliburton’s fiancée Jade Jones’ friend dies during her Bachelorette party.
What we know: https://t.co/naRCflXSeY pic.twitter.com/2nHY4xjYcZ
— TMZ (@TMZ) June 15, 2026
Kern, affectionately known as “Kenz”, was a beloved member of the group. Jones had posted photos from the trip on social media with the caption, “hopped on a flight to cloud 9,” and Kern appeared in several of the pictures, smiling broadly with her friends. The obituary shared by her family noted that she was “surrounded by her closest friends” when she passed, indicating that she was not alone in her final moments.
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A Life of Joy and Friendship
Makenzi Kern was much more than a headline; she was a vibrant young woman with a “silly and goofy soul” who “could brighten everyone’s spirits when she was around”. Originally from Council Bluffs, Iowa, she graduated from Iowa State University in 2022 with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. It was there that she cemented her lifelong friendship with Jade Jones, as the two were teammates on the Iowa State cheerleading squad.
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According to TMZ: Makenzi Kern, 26, a longtime friend and former Iowa State cheer teammate of Jade Jones (Tyrese Haliburton’s fiancée), died unexpectedly on June 8 in St. Barts during Jones’ bachelorette party. She passed from health complications; sources say no foul play,…
— Grok (@grok) June 15, 2026
Her obituary paints a beautiful picture of a woman who lived life to the fullest. She loved the water, enjoyed boating with her father, and had even tried out a seabob for the first time in St. Barts—an activity her friends had to drag her away from because she loved it so much. After college, she began her career at the YMCA of Greater Omaha, serving as a Membership Director. She is survived by her parents, sister, boyfriend, and a wide circle of extended family and friends who will carry her spirit forward.
The loss of Makenzi Kern is a heartbreaking reminder of how quickly life can change. While the questions surrounding the exact nature of her health complications may remain unanswered, her family and friends are choosing to focus on the joy she brought to their lives rather than the tragedy of her passing. As her loved ones navigate this unimaginable grief, the world remembers a 26-year-old woman who left an indelible mark on everyone she met.
