NATCHEZ — The Robert Lewis Middle School student who died after passing out at school Thursday had a heart defect that was mostly likely present since birth, Coroner James Lee said.

Autopsy results say Jamie Lewis, 13, died of an anomalous coronary artery.

And at a small house on George F. West Blvd., Lewis’ family and friends gathered to mourn her death Friday.

Lewis walked out of the school’s bathroom and collapsed Thursday. She reportedly had not participated in any strenuous activity.

She was transported by ambulance to Natchez Community Hospital and died a short time later.

Friday, Lee said the girl’s death was caused by a heart defect.

Gladys Lewis, Jamie’s aunt, said prior to Thursday her niece had no health or medical problems.

“She was fine as far as we knew,” she said. “There was nothing wrong with her.”

An anomalous coronary artery is an artery of the heart that has malformed or has some abnormality.

While the abnormality is a birth defect, the condition often goes undiagnosed until adolescence or adulthood.

The malformed artery can reduce the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart, resulting in a heart attack or death.

Lee said a toxicology screen revealed Lewis had not ingested any drugs as some rumors had suggested.

“There were no drugs in her system,” he said.

Lewis’ family can only mourn their loss.

“She was a beautiful child,” Lewis’ aunt said. “She had a tight circle of friends; they would fall asleep talking on the phone. They were inseparable; we’re all going to miss her.”

Lewis was raised by Margaret Lewis, her grandmother.