Upon the discovery of her body, the press deemed her death mysterious, though law enforcement suggested it appeared to have been due to natural causes.

[2] She became interested in acting at a young age, and relocated to San Francisco to study dramatic art in her teenage years.

[6] Kern's first major stage role was that of Cynthia, a stenographer, in a production of The Man of the Hour, which began its tour in Atlantic City, New Jersey in the fall of 1907.

[18] The press deemed her death "mysterious" as she had gone into seclusion during the weeks before, remaining isolated in the hotel room where she lived; a "do not disturb" sign was left hanging from her door for approximately three days before her body was discovered.

[7][18] Per a New York Daily News report, Kern, "tall, blonde and about 40, was found fully dressed and wrapped in a silk comfortable.

[1] Her remains were cremated by Fresh Pond Crematory in Queens, and she was interred at Rose City Cemetery in her hometown of Portland, Oregon.