In "The Name Means Thunder," what is ambiguous about Bedogi's manner of death, and why?

Bedogi dies while David is holding him and trying to stay hidden from Marla and the police. It is unclear whether he dies of natural causes or is perhaps smothered by being held improperly by his ten-year-old uncle. Since David is the narrator and this experience was confusing and traumatic for him, it is possible that he himself does not fully understand what happened and is unable to tell the reader more clearly.