Police had been investigating reports of 'injured man' when Khyler's body found

A teenage boy has been hailed a hero after he died 'protecting his five-year-old sister' when a burglar entered his home in Florida.

Khyler Edman, 15, was found dead inside his home in Port Charlotte on Thursday after an 'violent encounter' with a man who had 'broken into his home.'

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell told WESH-TV it is believed the teenager 'was trying to protect the home' and his younger sister, who was unharmed, at the time.

He said: 'They found that forced entry was made into a doorway and inside that residence they found a teenager and a young child.

Khyler Edman (pictured), 15, was found dead inside his home in Port Charlotte, Florida on Thursday after an 'violent encounter' with a man who had 'broken into his home'

'It appears that the suspect had broken into this residence. A violent encounter ensued where we believe that the teenager was trying to protect the home, protect their younger sibling.'

Police did not specify exactly how Khyler died, describing it only as a 'violent encounter'.

The teenager's body was discovered after police received reports of an 'injured' man running through the neighborhood at 4pm on Thursday.

The suspect took off across a canal when deputies arrived, and eventually entered the home of a man who called the police to report an 'unknown male' inside his property.

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said it is believed the teenager 'was trying to protect the home' and his younger sister, who was unharmed, at the time

A GoFundMe account has been set up by the family to help cover Khyler's funeral expenses

After a 'short foot pursuit', officers were able to take the burglar - who had 'several stab wounds' to his hands and side - into custody. He was then taken to a hospital to be treated for his injuries.

During a subsequent canvas of the area, deputies discovered a second burglary had taken place on a nearby street. There, police found Khyler's body and his unharmed five-year-old sister.

Police believe the burglar - who they identified as Ryan Clayton Cole - had 'received his injuries inside the same residence during a violent encounter'.

Ryan Cole (pictured) is currently charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and petit theft, police said

On Monday, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office confirmed the identity of the teenager.

A statement said: 'We request that the community and media continue to give the family privacy as they grieve.

'Detectives are continuing to work closely with the State Attorney's Office on this investigation.'

A GoFundMe account has since been set up by the family to help cover Khyler's funeral expenses. It has so-far raised more than $23,000 of its $25,000 goal.

On the page, his family said: 'Khyler lost his life being a hero protecting his five year old sister when a man broke in our home in Port Charlotte.

'Please help my family at this time give Khyler a proper burial he deserves, he was only 15 years old and lost his life due to a senseless act of a stranger. My son had a long life ahead of him, that was taken too soon.'

Ryan Cole is currently charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling and petit theft for the earlier incident, police said. An investigation is still underway for additional charges related to the death.