In This Biography

YouTube star Mikayla Raines dies by suicide aged 29 as devastated husband speaks out

Mikayla Raines, a YouTube sensation who is known for her work in rescuing animals, has tragically died at age 29, as her husband shares the devastating news with fans.

YouTube sensation and founder of animal rescue organisation Save A Fox, Mikayla Raines, has died aged 29.

The influencer’s husband, Ethan, confirmed she died by suicide on Monday, before taking aim at a targeted online bullying campaign. Mikayla, who racked up more than 500,000 followers on Instagram alone, dedicated herself to rescuing wildlife. Her YouTube account of her organisation, Save A Fox, which has locations in Florida and Minnesota, also has over 2.4 million subscribers.

The mom-of-one started the Minnesota-based nonprofit organization to save and rehabilitate foxes and other exotic animals. Mikayla’s journey with animals began when she was just 15 years old when she started volunteering with a wildlife rehabilitator.

Her early work inspired the charitable activist to launch Save A Fox in 2016 when she was just 20 years old. Unfortunately, Mikayla’s contribution to wildlife rescue has come to an abrupt end.

Her husband posted a heartbreaking video on social media announcing the animal rights worker’s passing. In the emotional 11-minute-long video, he revealed that Mikayla had been the target of a lengthy online harassment campaign.

He claimed the abuse came from not just strangers, but also people she knew, as well as others in the animal rescue community. A tearful Ethan claimed, “They spread false rumors, and being the sensitive person she was, it deeply affected her. She tried for years to push through the pain, but this time it was too much.”

He also revealed that Mikayla had been suffering from severe mental health issues in the weeks and months leading up to her passing, including depression, autism and borderline personality disorder. She had also undergone years of therapy and different medications.

Speaking of his wife, Ethan explained, “As many of you know, she was on the autism spectrum, and while that made her life very difficult, it allowed her to hyperfocus on one thing, and that one thing was obviously animals. From a young age, she dedicated every waking hour of her life to helping them, whether it was helping a snapping turtle cross the road or saving 500 foxes from a terrible fur farm.”

He added, “She was never in it for fame money or personal gain. She was truly one of the most selfless people I have ever known.”

Ethan also admitted that Mikayla’s sudden passing was “a loss that is unimaginable.” “Mikayla was truly the most amazing and inspiring individual I have ever known, and not having her here makes everything feel empty,” he said before concluding, “I feel broken.”

Her online presence soared alongside Save A Fox, which eventually grew into the largest fox rescue operation in the US. Mikayla is survived by Ethan, their daughter Freya, and the many animals she cared for at Save A Fox. Her husband has vowed to continue her legacy and the rescue’s mission.

Fans and those in the animal rescue community paid tribute to the online star.

If in the United States, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to 988 Lifeline.