State seeks death penalty against Ryan Cole, accused of murdering 15-year-old Khyler Edman

Reporter: Gina Tomlinson
Published: Updated:
Khyler Edman and his sister. Credit: Shared with WINK News.

State Attorney Amira Fox announces today that the State Attorney’s Office has filed a “Notice of Intent to Seek Death Penalty” against defendant Ryan Clayton Cole.

A Charlotte County Grand Jury indicted Cole for First Degree Murder, First Degree Burglary with Battery, and Burglary of a Dwelling in December 2019.
Cole, 28, is charged with murdering 15-year-old Khyler Edman during a burglary at a Port Charlotte home on September 26, 2019.

During the burglary, Cole allegedly stabbed the young teen to death.

Ryan Clayton Cole, 27. Credit: Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Cole was discovered by a homeowner at a second residence after an alleged burglary at that home.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office handled the extensive investigation.

Deputy Chief Assistant State Attorney Shannon Doolity and Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Garczewski are prosecuting the case.

Khyler’s grandmother said the days since their loved one’s murder has not gotten any easier for their family.

“We just breathe one day at a time,” said. “We miss him. He’s missed every day. The holidays were very tough.”

Blank says their faith is with the justice system. She says’ in the end, God is the ultimate judge, and their family is staying string through faith and looking ahead.

“It’s never going to give us back our family member.

Neighbors such as Howard Saks hopes, in time, the family will reach some healing amid their major loss.

“Hopefully it gets easier as time goes off,” Saks said. “They’ll think more of the good times than the tragedy that took his life.”

MORE: Ryan Cole has been indicted for the first-degree murder of Khyler Edman

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