Jake Knapp's golfer friend Makena White passed away at 28: what is known about the causes.

Death of Makena White

According to The Sun: The PGA Tour golfer Jake Knapp's girlfriend, Makena White, reported heart problems prior to her tragic death this week.

28-year-old Makena passed away, which was announced by Instagram of her close friend.

On social media, Makena mentioned unspecified heart issues months before her death.

In June, she posted a picture watching Jake's US Open tournament, adding the caption: 'We are in the game #GolfsLongestDay.'

Later, she posted a picture of her smartwatch showing a heart rate of 133 beats per minute, captioning: '(When I say I'm in the game, I mean tachycardia) #golfslongestday.'

Tachycardia is defined as an accelerated heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute in adults.

A representative from a medical equipment company noted that she had been using heart monitoring devices as recently as a month ago.

She also shared that in May, she attended a cardiothoracic surgery conference wearing a Holter monitor for her own heart defect.

The cause of her death has not been confirmed after an abrupt incident, as mentioned in an emotional post on her Instagram account.

'Hello everyone – this is Makena's friend, writing with a heavy heart to say that Makena passed away this week.

'She will be greatly missed by her father, family, friends, as well as Nelly and Fergie.'

'Makena was special. She had a rare ability to make people feel special, and her big heart was always full of love.'

Jake Knapp expressed his condolences, saying:

'Feeling Makena's love was a true gift; she brought so much laughter, joy, and a bit of chaos when we tried to cope with her travel schedule.'

'If you want to honor Makena's memory, donations to the Bruyère Brain Health & Memory Clinic or the Griffin Bell Endowment fund would be of great help.'

'We love you, Mak. We will miss you forever and will look for you at sunset.'

Makena White was a native of Ottawa and graduated from McMaster University with degrees in communications and software in 2019.

She was also a devoted fan of the local hockey team, the Ottawa Senators.

Jake Knapp, who ranks 80th in the world, and Makena were together for the past two years. They began their relationship after his first victory on the PGA Tour at the Mexico Open in 2024.

Jake Knapp shared his thoughts on the loss, noting:

'Makena was a very empathetic person, her dedication to others will always remain in my memory.

'We shared many unforgettable moments together, and now that she is gone, it is a tough reality for all of us.'

'She had a wonderful family, good friends, and her joyful nature will be missed by everyone.'

'It is an exaggeration to say how hard it is for everyone who knew Mak, especially her family and friends who deserve privacy and respect at this difficult time.'

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The tragedy surrounding Makena White's death has affected many of her friends and acquaintances who remember her for her kindness and charisma. Her death highlights the importance of taking care of one's health, as even young people can face serious health issues. In the context of this case, many believe that awareness of symptoms and reaching out to a doctor are important steps in preventing similar tragedies in the future.