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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - A Fort Smith teenager died on March 14 after collapsing at a youth dance, part of the Wood Buffalo Frolics winter carnival. The deceased has been identified as 18-year-old Trevor Nadary.

According to RCMP Sgt. Grant Payne, the teenager was at a dance at Uncle Gabe's Friendship Centre and went into a lobby to cool off.

Fort Smith teenager Trevor Nadary died suddenly on March 14 from what is believed to be natural causes. - photo courtesy of the Nadary family

According to witnesses, Nadary was speaking to some people when he suddenly collapsed, Payne said. "There was nothing suspicious at the scene."

The sergeant said the teenager had a previous medical condition that may be related to his death.

"The autopsy will determine that one way or another," he said.

A family member said Nadary was born with a heart condition.

The NWT's chief coroner Garth Eggenberger said the body has been sent to Edmonton for an autopsy, but no results were back as of the middle of last week.

"It's not a suspicious death," Eggenberger said. "It's probably more of a medical thing."

However, he said the final determination will be based on the autopsy results.

Nadary collapsed just before 10 p.m. at the Teen Trapper's Dance.

His relative said Nadary and some others had just been break-dancing before he collapsed.

Nadary had been a break-dancer since he was about 12 years old and often performed with his twin brother.

"He liked break-dancing. He liked listening to hip-hop music," said the family member, adding Nadary also enjoyed skateboarding and traditional drumming.

"He was always getting involved in volunteering at Uncle Gabe's Friendship Centre in whatever activities they had there," said the family member, who did not wish to be identified by name.

Nadary was a member of Salt River First Nation and worked for the band as a labourer on various projects.

"He was always proud of working with his band," his relative said.

Mayor Peter Martselos said Nadary's death has devastated Fort Smith.

"It's a very shocking thing and the community is feeling so bad about that happening to anyone, but especially someone 18 years old," Martselos said.

The mayor said a community feast and the closing ceremonies for Wood Buffalo Frolics – which were scheduled for March 15 at Uncle Gabe's Friendship Centre – were cancelled as a result of the tragedy.