When tragedy strikes, the last thing anyone needs is a headline that feels more like clickbait than a respectful acknowledgment of loss. That’s exactly what happened this week, as TMZ found itself in the crosshairs of fans and critics alike for a story involving Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and his fiancée, Jade Jones.
The heartbreaking news broke Monday: Makenzi Kern, a 26-year-old friend of Jones, died unexpectedly while attending Jones’ bachelorette party in St. Barts. According to reports, Kern’s family confirmed that her death was due to health complications, with no evidence of drugs or alcohol playing a role. Her obituary described her as someone who could “brighten everyone’s spirits,” noting she was surrounded by close friends on what was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
But when TMZ ran the story, the headline read: “Tyrese Haliburton’s fiancée Jade Jones’ friend dies during her Bachelorette party.” Basketball fans immediately called foul, accusing the outlet of using the star player’s name to generate buzz around a deeply personal tragedy.
“Extremely disrespectful headline. This is such a tragic thing that happened,” one person wrote on social media. “Please continue to keep the Kern family in your thoughts and prayers.” Another fan echoed the sentiment: “If you have to put two possessive apostrophes to connect a death to a celebrity, maybe you shouldn’t.”
The backlash didn’t stop there. A popular social media account called the headline “the most disrespectful headline to everyone involved. Despicable.” One more person chimed in, “Rest in peace but this headline is insanely written and probably disrespectful.”
Jones and Kern were more than just friends—they were former teammates on Iowa State’s cheerleading squad, a bond that clearly transcended their college years. The tragedy has hit close to home for the Cyclones community and the NBA world alike. This incident comes amid growing scrutiny of media practices, especially when NBA officials have faced criticism for their handling of high-stakes games, but this is a different kind of misstep—one that prioritizes a name over humanity.
As the Kern family mourns, the focus should remain on honoring Makenzi’s life, not on how many clicks a headline can generate. Our thoughts are with her loved ones, including Jones and Haliburton, who are undoubtedly grieving alongside them.
