A friend of NBA star Tyrese Haliburton’s fiancée died suddenly and unexpectedly during a bachelorette party in St. Barts, prompting an outpouring of grief and a wave of online speculation that her family and available evidence do not support.
Makenzi Kern, 26, was pronounced dead on June 8 while “surrounded by her closest friends on a once in a lifetime trip”, according to an online obituary. She had celebrated her birthday only two days earlier. Kern was a member of the bachelorette party for Jade Jones, Haliburton’s fiancée, on the exclusive Caribbean island known for its high-end resorts, beaches and celebrity clientele.
‘A once-in-a-lifetime kind of friend’
Jones broke her silence on Wednesday night with an emotional Instagram tribute, describing Kern as “a light in this world” whose glow “will continue to shine in everyone who was lucky enough to know her”. In a lengthy post alongside photographs of their friendship, Jones wrote: “I am forever grateful that I got to love someone as truly special as Kenzi, and to have been loved back by her. … 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’.”
Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers star who led the team to the 2025 NBA Finals, replied in the comments: “I love you.” He also posted a tribute on his Instagram story, writing: “We will always love and miss you Kenz. Forever thankful for you.” Jones and Haliburton have been together for more than seven years, dating back to his time at Iowa State University. They announced their engagement last year, with their wedding scheduled for August 1, 2026.
The circumstances of Kern’s death
Kern, a native of Iowa, graduated from Lewis Central High School in 2018 and earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Iowa State University in 2022. At Iowa State she was a cheerleading teammate of Jones, and it was there that Jones met Haliburton. Kern later worked as a Membership Director for a YMCA branch in Nebraska, having previously served as a Youth and Family Director for the YMCA of Greater Omaha.
Social media images posted by Jones on June 6 showed the group of friends in bikinis enjoying the sunshine on beaches and by the swimming pool of the property where they were staying. Kern, described by those who knew her as the “funniest, goofiest person” with a love of water activities including boating and water skiing, had been enthusiastic about trying a Seabob for the first time during the trip.
A source familiar with the situation told TMZ that Kern passed away unexpectedly from “health complications”. Her family has said they do not suspect foul play and do not believe drugs or alcohol were involved. An official cause of death has not been publicly released. Kern is survived by her parents, step-parents, sister, step-siblings, grandparents and her boyfriend.
Haliburton, a two-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA Third Team selection, suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The injury caused him to miss the entire 2025-26 season.
Unfounded theories spread online
In the days after Kern’s death, unsubstantiated rumours have circulated on social media. A woman who claims to know the family posted online that Kern died of a sudden heart attack. Others have speculated that her death may be linked to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. One X account wrote: “Sounds sudden and vaxxy.” Laura Miers, an outspoken critic of the vaccines, added: “the New Normal really blows. We will be witnessing record premature death for the rest of our natural lives.”
There is no evidence to suggest Kern died as a result of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Sudden cardiac death in young adults, while rare, can be caused by undiagnosed heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Long QT syndrome, arrhythmias, or congenital heart defects — often with a genetic basis. In rare cases, blunt chest trauma (commotio cordis) can also be a cause. Studies published in JAMA Network Open and by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found no association between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and sudden cardiac death in healthy young adults. Some research has even suggested a potential reduction in the risk of sudden death among vaccinated individuals. No official autopsy or toxicology results have been made public to explain Kern’s death. Her family has not indicated any suspicion of vaccine involvement, and the source who spoke to TMZ explicitly ruled out drugs or alcohol as factors. The cause of her death remains unexplained by medical authorities, but the online theories rest on no available evidence.
