While Tyrese Haliburton was counting down the days to his wedding on August 1 and his expected NBA return from a ruptured Achilles, he and his fiancée, Jade Jones, experienced profound grief. The couple lost one of their closest friends, who had been with them since the start of their college romance. Makenzi Nichole Kern unexpectedly died during a bachelorette getaway in St. Barts on June 8. Jones has since broken her silence with a deeply emotional tribute.

The All-Star guard’s fiancée shared her honest thoughts about her grief and the upcoming absence that will mark her wedding day.

“Everyone knows how Kenzi and my story started,” Jones shared on Instagram, alongside a carousel of photos honoring their years of friendship. “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.”

According to her obituary, Kern passed away from health complications. Her family and law enforcement refuted any speculation about foul play, drugs, or alcohol. Kern died only two days after her 26th birthday on June 6, which she also celebrated with a dozen friends on St. Barthelemy Island.

Kern was obviously a big part of Haliburton and Jones’ love story as a friend from their days at Iowa State. She was a cheerleader with Jones while Hali played for the Cyclones. It added to Jones’ heartbreak that she would celebrate her marriage without her closest confidante by her side.

“She loved and supported Tyrese and me through every chapter,” Jones wrote. “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. 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,” Jones penned. “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,” Jones concluded. “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.’ 💛🌞🌙🌼”

In fact, Kern’s final Instagram post on February 2, 2024, was a celebration of Jones, in which she posed in a white crop top and tan pants in front of a Nashville, Tennessee, bar.

“We sure know how to celebrate jade jones!” Kern wrote in the caption.

Striking a chord within the NBA community, Jones described a friendship that developed from unlikely origins into a vital part of her and Haliburton’s lives.

Tyrese Haliburton, Caitlin Clark, and more console Jade Jones

Makenzi Kern was described as the kind of friend you make for life.

“During her time at ISU, she deepened her friendships there that she maintained way beyond her days at ISU,” her family said in her obituary.

That impact was clear under Jones’ post.

Tyrese Haliburton himself left a simple yet heartfelt message of support for his fiancée, commenting, “I love you.”

Former Philadelphia 76ers forward and Haliburton’s teammate from Iowa State, Georges Niang, left a solitary “❤️” emoji.

The daughter of Bucks owner, Wes Edens, Mallory Edens, sent her condolences, writing, “i’m so sorry ❤️ sending my love.”

Even Karl-Anthony Towns’ fiancée, Jordyn Woods, took a break from celebrating the Knicks’ championship to offer her support, replying, “Sending you so much love 🤍.”

The tragedy also drew significant reactions from WNBA stars who share close ties with the couple. Indiana Fever superstar, Caitlin Clark, left a comforting note, “love you always 💛💛💛💛,” which was quickly echoed by her teammate Lexie Hull, who simply dropped a row of supportive emojis: “💛💛💛💛.”

As Kern and Jones spent years as tight-knit teammates on the Iowa State University cheerleading squad before continuing their lifelong bond, several of their close friends also shared memories of Kern and honored her life.

Rest in peace, Makenzi.