YouTube Star and Save A Fox Founder Mikayla Raines Dies by Suicide at 29 Following Online Harassment

Mikayla Raines has died aged 29

Mikayla Raines, the beloved YouTube content creator and founder of the animal rescue nonprofit Save A Fox, has tragically died by suicide at the age of 29. Her death was confirmed by her husband, Ethan, who shared the devastating news in an emotional video posted on social media.

Raines, a prominent animal rights advocate, built a significant online following with her heartfelt mission to rescue and rehabilitate foxes and other exotic animals. Her YouTube channel, Save A Fox, has more than 2.4 million subscribers, while her Instagram account drew over 500,000 followers. The nonprofit has operated rescue facilities in both Florida and Minnesota, helping to save hundreds of animals, many from fur farms.

Her husband claimed she had been the target of an online bullying campaign

Mikayla began her journey in wildlife care at the age of 15 by volunteering with a local wildlife rehabilitator. That early experience inspired her to launch Save A Fox in 2016, when she was just 20 years old. Since then, her organization grew to become the largest fox rescue operation in the United States.

In a heartfelt 11-minute video, Ethan spoke openly about the struggles his wife faced behind the scenes. He revealed that Mikayla had endured a prolonged campaign of targeted online harassment and bullying—much of it coming not only from strangers but also from people she once considered friends, including others in the animal rescue community.

“They spread false rumors, and being the sensitive person she was, it deeply affected her,” Ethan said. “She tried for years to push through the pain, but this time it was too much.”

She was known for founding the Save A Fox organization

Ethan also disclosed that Mikayla lived with multiple mental health challenges, including depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder. Despite years of therapy and medical treatment, her internal struggles continued.

“She was on the autism spectrum, and while that made her life very difficult, it allowed her to hyperfocus on one thing — animals,” Ethan said. “From a young age, she dedicated every waking hour to helping them, whether it was assisting a snapping turtle across the road or saving 500 foxes from a fur farm.”

He described his wife as “selfless,” noting that she was never driven by fame or financial gain, but by an unwavering dedication to animal welfare. “Not having her here makes everything feel empty. I feel broken,” he said.

She had over 2.4 million subscribers on YouTube

Mikayla Raines was born on March 5, 1996. She is survived by her husband Ethan, their young daughter Freya, and the many animals she cared for throughout her life.

In the wake of her passing, tributes have poured in from fans and fellow animal rescuers. Juniper Wildlife Refuge, a nonprofit animal organization, expressed deep sorrow: “So many in our community have foxes that only came to us because of Mikayla’s dedication and empathy. We will all carry a small piece of her light that lives on through them.”

Ethan has vowed to continue Mikayla’s legacy by keeping Save A Fox alive and honoring her mission to protect and rescue wildlife.