Key Point Summary – Mikayla Raines Dead At 29
- YouTube star Mikayla Raines has died by suicide at age 29
- Her husband says online bullying pushed her over the edge
- Raines battled autism, depression, and borderline personality disorder
- She founded Save A Fox, the largest U.S. fox rescue
- Husband Ethan vows to continue her animal rescue mission
- Raines leaves behind a daughter, Freya, and hundreds of saved animals
- Tributes pour in from devastated fans and fellow activists
Online Abuse Leads to Tragedy
Mikayla Raines, the widely admired animal rescuer behind the Save A Fox YouTube channel, has died by suicide at age 29. Her husband, Ethan, confirmed the heartbreaking news on Instagram Monday.
He shared that Mikayla had endured years of targeted harassment, lies, and cruelty. As a sensitive and selfless person, the hate campaign wore her down over time. Despite years of therapy and medication, Ethan said her pain never truly eased.
According to him, what ultimately pushed her over the edge was betrayal and abuse from people she once called friends.
A Life Devoted to Animals
Raines’ mission started early — at just 15, she began volunteering at a wildlife rehab center. By 20, she launched Save A Fox. The nonprofit grew into the largest fox rescue operation in the United States, with sites in Minnesota and Florida.
She personally saved hundreds of animals, sometimes sacrificing food, sleep, and even basic care for herself. Ethan said she was never in it for fame or attention, only the well-being of the animals she adored.
Her unique ability to hyperfocus, a trait linked to her autism, allowed her to devote her life to saving wildlife.
Family and Followers Left Reeling
Raines is survived by Ethan and their young daughter, Freya. Ethan called her an “amazing mother” who taught their child how to care for animals with love and respect.
In his words, “Every single animal here just lost their best friend.”
Ethan vowed to continue her mission through Save A Fox, promising to pour the same energy into the rescue as Mikayla did.
Tributes Pour In Across the Internet
Grief flooded social media after the news broke. Fans and fellow animal advocates honored Mikayla’s legacy and condemned the online bullying that contributed to her death.
“She was one of a kind,” said fellow rescuer Miranda Sanders. “The world is dimmer without her.”
Many, like Juniper Wildlife Refuge, credited Mikayla with saving foxes now thriving in new homes across the country.
Some messages turned to anger — aimed at those who tormented her. “Your cruelty took away a bright, beautiful life doing God’s work,” Sanders wrote. “That wound will never fully heal.”
A Legacy That Lives On
While Mikayla’s death has shaken her community, her legacy remains alive through every animal she saved, every person she inspired, and every life she touched.
Ethan promised that Save A Fox will continue to grow, just as Mikayla dreamed. Her light, though dimmed here, continues to shine in the lives she changed.