YouTube star Mikayla Raines has died after being ‘relentlessly bullied’ in a targeted online campaign.
Her husband Ethan confirmed her death Monday by suicide in a heartbreaking Instagram post.
‘They spread false rumors, and being the sensitive person she was, it deeply affected her,’ he told her followers.
‘She tried for years to push through the pain, but this time it was too much.’
Raines, 29, had been battling a myriad of health conditions including depression, borderline personality disorder, autism and more.
She underwent years of therapy and had tried various medications, but Ethan says ‘nothing really seemed to help’.
Raines is best known for her nonprofit Save A Fox, which has locations in Florida and her home state of Minnesota.
The organization – which Raines founded in 2016 at age 20 and grew to become the largest fox rescue operation in the US – is focused on saving and rehabilitating foxes and other exotic animals.
The animal rights campaigner took her own life after being subjected to a lengthy online harassment campaign that saw both strangers and other animal rescuers hurl abuse at her, Ethan claimed.
She recently was met with ‘rude words, accusations and name-calling came from some of those she considered close friends’.
He suggested the abuse stemmed from ‘jealousy and envy’.
Ethan shared how Raines dedicated her entire life to saving animals, which began when she was just 15 years old and volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitator.
‘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,’ he said through his tears.
‘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.’
‘She was never in it for fame, money or personal gain.’
He shared how his ‘selfless’ wife would routinely put the needs of animals above her own, and would ‘forgo sleep, eating and showering if there was an animal that needed her help’.
She was ‘never held back by ideas that everyone else considered unrealistic’.
‘Mikayla was truly the most amazing and inspiring individual I have ever known, and not having her here makes everything feel empty,’ he said.
‘I feel broken.’
Ethan, who reiterated that Raines’ work extended well beyond foxes, says his wife and her organization has saved ‘into the four figures of animals’.
He added that ‘every single animal here, just lost their best friend’.
Ethan vowed to continue her work with Save a Fox and ‘keep moving forward to save as many lives as possible’.
‘I gave Mikayla all of my love and energy, and I will do the same with this rescue going forward,’ he said. ‘This is what Mikayla would want and I have to see her dreams and goals be realized.’
Raines is survived by Ethan and their young daughter Freya, to whom he says she was an ‘amazing mother’.
‘She was a best friend to Freya and everyday she would teach her how to interact with respect and care for the animals here,’ her husband shared.
Fellow activists and fans alike have taken to social media to pay tribute to Raines, hailing her ‘incredible’ mission and inspirational story.
‘This is so tragic. So many in our community have foxes that only came to us because of Mikayla’s dedication to her mission and empathy toward animals,’ wrote Juniper Widllife Refuge.
‘We will all carry a small piece of her light that lives on through them. There are really no words to describe how sorry I am for your loss and the pain that you and all of her loved ones are suffering. I hope her memory continues to bring all of you strength.’
‘Mikayla was one of a kind. One of the most selfless passionate, and purehearted souls I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing,’ echoed wildlife campaigner Miranda Sanders. ‘The world is dimmer without her.’
Sanders added: ‘To the vile, spineless individuals who tormented her…I hope you never forget this post. I hope the weight of this loss sits heavy on your conscience every single day.
‘Your cruelty, born from nothing but jealousy and insecurity, took away a bright beautiful life doing gods work and left a wound that will never fully heal for many humans and animals.’
‘This is so unexpected and I am so sad to hear about this!’ one fan wrote. ‘I’m so sorry for the loss of Mikayla Raines and I hope Saveafox will continue to grow strong like she always wanted.’
Another added: ‘Devastating doesn’t even begin to describe how horrible this is.’
‘This is absolutely horrible! I’m so sorry! She was soooooo kind and sweet!’ added influencer Shirley Hadisubrata.
‘She deserves all the goodness in the world. I pray for peace and sending my deepest condolences to everyone who’s close to her. May she watch over all the animals and rest in peace.’
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for 24-hour, confidential support.
