Father dies of heart attack after dancing with his daughter at her wedding

Michael Buchanan was a detective for the computer crimes division of the York County Sheriff's Office in South Carolina

Michael Buchanan dancing with his wife, Jeni, at their wedding GoFundMe/Jeni Buchanan

What should have been a momentous occasion turned tragic at a South Carolina wedding when the father of the bride died suddenly during the reception.

Tim Buchanan, a 54-year-old detective from York County, reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack after the customary father-daughter dance at the wedding in Costa Rica on Saturday, The Herald reported.

The York County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Mr Buchanan’s death in a Facebook post on Monday.

A private funeral service is expected for the Buchanan family on Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office said.

“All of our hearts are saddened about the loss of this great law enforcement officer,” Sheriff Bruce Bryant said. “Tim dedicated almost 19 years to this profession as an outstanding deputy, forensics investigator, and most recently detectives in computer crimes. His talents will be sorely missed.”

Mr Buchanan first joined the Sheriff’s Office in March 1998. He was promoted to the role of forensics investigator after 10 years. He had just begun his most current role in February.

A family friend, Jenn Lewis, set up a GoFundMe page to help cover expenses for Jeni Buchanan, a freelance wedding photographer, who will likely miss work as she mourns her husband’s death.

“He was the most beautiful soul I have ever known, and I will never be the same without him,” Ms Buchanan said of her late husband. “I know he loved me and our family.”