Youtuber Mikayla Raines dies by suicide at 29, husband reveals she faced bullying every single day

Youtuber Mikayla Raines dies by suicide at 29, husband reveals she faced bullying every single day

Mikayla Raines, a beloved YouTuber and founder of the animal rescue organisation Save A Fox, has died by suicide at the age of 29. Known for her unwavering devotion to rescuing and rehabilitating foxes and other exotic animals, Mikayla’s death has sent shockwaves through the online animal welfare community. Her husband, Ethan Raines, confirmed the heartbreaking news through a video shared on Save A Fox’s social media platforms.

In the emotional message, Ethan spoke candidly about Mikayla’s long battle with mental health issues. She lived with autism, borderline personality disorder, and depression—conditions that significantly impacted her daily life. Despite years of therapy and medication, Ethan said Mikayla found little lasting relief.

“Simple tasks were hard for her,” Ethan explained tearfully. “Looking at her from the outside, you could never tell what was going on in her head, but even just socializing would send her over the edge.”

Behind her radiant smile and compassionate work with animals, Mikayla carried heavy emotional burdens. Ethan revealed that her deep empathy, while a gift to the creatures she saved, also left her incredibly vulnerable to negativity—especially the kind she received online.

Tragically, Mikayla was the target of constant online harassment. According to Ethan, the bullying came not just from strangers but even from within the animal rescue community—people she had once trusted and considered allies. The relentless criticism and personal attacks took a devastating toll on her mental well-being.

“Mikayla faced bullying every single day,” Ethan said. “It was from people she knew, people in the same field who should have supported her mission.”

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Mikayla is survived by Ethan and their young daughter, Freya. In his video, Ethan vowed to continue his wife’s legacy and carry on the work she so passionately believed in.

“She dedicated her life to giving voiceless animals a chance,” he said. “Now, I’ll make sure her voice is never forgotten.”

The death of Mikayla Raines highlights the severe consequences of unchecked online harassment, particularly for those already navigating mental health challenges. Her story is a painful reminder of the invisible battles many fight behind the scenes, and a call for compassion, understanding, and accountability—especially in communities built on empathy and care.

Mikayla's legacy lives on through the countless animals she saved and the people she inspired. In honoring her memory, many hope her story sparks real change and awareness around the impact of mental illness and cyberbullying.