The family of Tyrone Smith is calling for answers following his recent death after a violent altercation in Boulder, Western Australia.

Mr Smith, a 20-year-old man sustained critical injuries on 29 November following an altercation with the owner of a home he allegedly entered armed with a machete.

The incident occurred in Boulder, where the homeowner, along with his wife and child, allegedly confronted Mr Smith after he entered their property.

According to police, a violent altercation followed, leaving both Mr Smith and the homeowner with severe injuries.

Mr Smith was airlifted to Royal Perth Hospital in critical condition, while the homeowner was taken to Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital for treatment. Mr Smith died in Royal Perth Hospital days later.

His family traveled to Perth to be by his side. They are now seeking clarity about the circumstances of his death and calling for change to address the broader systemic issues they believe contributed to his death at a young age.

Mr Smith's mother, Kathleen O'Loughlin, expressed her anguish at the loss of her son and the unanswered questions surrounding his death.

"Tyrone was a loving young man who faced challenges but had a big heart," she said.

"He should still be here."

She expressed her frustration with the lack of information provided to the family.

"Was my son (initially) welcomed into this house? Did an altercation escalate to unwarranted force? We need to know why my son is no longer here," she said.

"I just want the truth."

Describing the events leading up to his death, she added: "If there was an altercation, why did it have to end this way? We need answers, and we need justice."

Ms O'Loughlin appealed to the public to assist with the investigation.

"I urge anyone who knows anything to come forward. We need to know what happened and how my son's life ended in such a way," she said.

Advocate Gerry Georgatos said systemic neglect, including a lack of post-custody support for people trying to re-integrate into society, has left young people like Mr Smith vulnerable.

"We are losing lives because deaths in custody and post-custody deaths have become a pattern," Mr Georgatos said.

"There's no post-custody assistance. If we're not going to support these kids, we're leaving them behind. Children today are being born with less opportunity than ever before.

"Tyrone should still be with us."

Mr Georgatos highlighted broader systemic issues he says contributed to Mr Smith's death, including the poverty and neglect that disproportionately impact First Nations communities.

"Sixty percent of First Nations people in this state live below the poverty line, and in some regions, it's three out of four," he said.

The family is calling for a thorough investigation into the events leading Mr Smith's death.

"We need the truth," Ms O'Loughlin said.

"Why did this happen? Was there excessive force?"

Mr Georgatos echoed the call for transparency, urging authorities to provide answers promptly.

"These questions need to be answered, and they need to be answered as fast as possible in every way permissible with the family," he said.

Mr Smith's family has asked for calm as the investigation continues.

"Tyrone's death is a wake-up call," Mr Georgatos said.

"We can't keep losing our young people to a system that fails them."

Kalgoorlie detectives and the major crime squad are investigating the incident, with a report being prepared for the coroner.

The family continues to work with authorities to uncover the truth while calling for greater support for First Nations youth to prevent similar tragedies in the future.