Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton has broken his silence following the death of his fiancée Jade Jones’ friend Makenzie Khan during a recent bachelorette party.
“Kens, we will always love and miss you. We are forever grateful,” Haliburton, 26, wrote via his Instagram Story on Wednesday, June 17.
The player wrote a message of condolence over a photo of Khan and Jones embracing.
On Tuesday, June 16, it was reported that Khan, 26, died suddenly while attending a bachelorette party hosted by Jones, 28, in St. Barts earlier this month. According to TMZ, Khan reportedly died from “health complications,” but his family did not believe that drugs, alcohol, or cheating were to blame. (The official cause of death has not yet been announced.)
Before his death, Khan had shared numerous highlights from his bachelor trip on social media. In his published obituary, Khan was described as someone who “lived life to the fullest” and was “silly, goofy, and someone who could lighten everyone’s heart.”
“Makenzi Nicole Khan, 26, affectionately known as ‘Kens,’ passed away unexpectedly due to health complications on June 8, 2026, two days after her 26th birthday on June 6, 2000,” the obituary reads. “She was surrounded by her closest friends and embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Saint-Barthelemy.”
Jones and Kern became friends as cheerleaders at Iowa State University, where Haliburton also played basketball from 2018 to 2020.
On Wednesday, Jones spoke out for the first time about Khan’s death, paying tribute to “the funniest, goofiest person I’ve ever met.”
“She always made me belly laugh,” Jones wrote on Instagram. “She had an incredible talent for bringing happiness to every room she was in.”
Jones recalled that Khan “loved and supported Tyrese and I through every chapter.”
“She was our biggest cheerleader and showed up for me at every important moment in my life,” Jones recalled. “I can’t even imagine our wedding day without her celebrating with us. It won’t be the same without her, but in some way she will show us that she is there. From the day I met Tyrese , she was there for every moment of our lives. But Kents will forever live on in my memories, my laughter, my stories, and who I am because of her. I will never stop laughing about all the memories we had together.”
Tyrese Haliburton and Jade Jones are ready to take the next big step in their relationship: They’re engaged! Haliburton, 25, and Jones met as college students at Iowa State University, so it was only natural that the Indiana Pacers star would propose there. Despite suffering a season-ending injury during the game (…)
Jones concluded her memorial post by saying she was “forever grateful” to have had such a “special” friend.
“Kentz was truly a light in this world, and that light will continue to shine in all those who were lucky enough to know her,” she concluded. “Kenzie, I love you forever. You are so beautiful inside and out, and a friend of a lifetime. Thank you for always coming to me, making me laugh until I cried, and being an unforgettable part of my life. I will always miss you, but know that you will be with me wherever I go. See you soon.” ”
“I love you,” Halliburton replied to Jones in the comments section.
