{"id":709789,"date":"2026-06-17T16:29:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T16:29:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/709789\/"},"modified":"2026-06-17T16:29:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T16:29:18","slug":"heartbreaking-final-pics-show-tyrese-haliburtons-fiancees-bff-before-she-died-on-lavish-bachelorette-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/709789\/","title":{"rendered":"Heartbreaking final pics show Tyrese Haliburton\u2019s fianc\u00e9e\u2019s BFF before she died on lavish bachelorette trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

The friend of Tyrese Haliburton\u2019s fianc\u00e9e who unexpectedly died during her lavish St. Barts<\/a> bachelorette getaway had been a central figure in the festivities leading up to the couple\u2019s wedding, heartbreaking photos show.<\/p>\n

Before suddenly dying from undisclosed health complications on June 8 \u2013 just two days after celebrating her 26th birthday during the Caribbean trip \u2013 Makenzi Kern appeared beaming alongside bride-to-be Jade Jones at her April bridal shower.<\/p>\n

Kern, dressed in a pale blue maxi dress with side cutouts, was seen posing cheerfully with friends<\/a> and even hoisting Jones up into the air, in a playful nod to their years cheering together at Iowa State University.<\/p>\n

\"Makenzi<\/p>\n

Makenzi Kern was a central figure in the couple\u2019s wedding festivities before her sudden and unexpected death on June 8. @makenzikern\/Instagram<\/p>\n

Jones\u2019 close friendship with Kern \u2013 as well as her romance with the now two-time NBA All Star \u2013 both kicked off during her collegiate career, which ended in 2020.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe bridal shower of my literal DREAMS!!!!!\u201d Jones captioned a carousel of photos from the shower, held at a ritzy steakhouse in downtown Chicago.<\/p>\n

Kern \u2013 whose family does not believe foul play, drugs or alcohol contributed to her mysterious death \u2013 also appeared smiley and carefree in photos taken in the first several days of Jones\u2019 bachelorette trip.<\/p>\n

Instagram snaps shared by Jones and members of her 13-woman bridal crew show Kern grinning widely with her arms outstretched while sporting a blue two-piece outfit, surrounded by similarly-dressed friends, with Jones standing at the center in white.<\/p>\n

\"Kern<\/p>\n

Kern (right), dressed in a pale blue maxi dress with side cutouts, was seen posing cheerfully with friends at Jones\u2019 April bridal shower in Chicago. Instagram \/ @abbie_mac1<\/p>\n

The suntanned squad posed by the pool, on a boat and along the picturesque oceanfront as they celebrated with champagne toasts to \u201cHali Ever After\u201d \u2013 a playful nod to Haliburton\u2019s last name \u2013 before the idyllic trip suddenly devolved into tragedy.<\/p>\n

Kern\u2019s family said that she died while \u201csurrounded by her closest friends on a once in a lifetime trip to St. Barthelemy Island,\u201d according to an online obituary<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe loved boating with her dad, water skiing, and got to try out a seabob for the first time in St Barths. According to her friends, they had to drag her off because she loved it so much, evidence that she was having an amazing time,\u201d her family wrote.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The suntanned squad posed cheerily by the pool, on a boat and along the picturesque oceanfront in the early days of the St. Barts bachelorette getaway. @destiny_crump\/Instagram<\/p>\n

The Iowa native is remembered by her loved ones as someone who \u201clived life to the fullest\u201d and \u201ccould brighten everyone\u2019s spirits when she was around.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kern graduated from Iowa State University in 2022 with a bachelor\u2019s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and was working as a Membership Director for a YMCA in Omaha at the time of her death.<\/p>\n

\u201cKenz was dedicated to her job, her friends and her beloved pets; especially her cat Dusty. She never wanting to let anyone down or upset them,\u201d her obituary said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo much so even as a child she would let all of the kids on the playground go down the slide first saying \u2018you go first, I\u2019ll get a turn later.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Kern is survived by her parents, stepparents, sister, stepsiblings, grandparents and her boyfriend.<\/p>\n

\"Jones<\/p>\n

Jones and Haliburton are expected to tie the knot on Aug. 1. @jadeeejones\/Instagram<\/p>\n

Jones and Haliburton have been together for more than seven years since their relationship kicked off during his time as a guard for the Iowa State Cyclones.<\/p>\n

Haliburton was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 2020 before being traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2022.<\/p>\n

The couple is set to tie the knot on Aug. 1, according to an online wedding registry<\/a>.<\/p>\n