Beloved YouTube star dies after relentless bullying, aged 29
Raines, who had 2.4 million followers on YouTube, rose to fame with her non-profit organisation, Save A Fox, which seeks to rescue foxes and exotic wildlife.
The popular social media star's family announcement her death on Facebook, with her husband, Ethan, saying she was relentlessly bullied prior to her tragic death.
'They spread false rumours and, being the sensitive person she was, it deeply affected her,' he wrote.
'She tried for years to push through the pain, but this time it was too much.'
Raines' husband slammed people's 'rude words, accusations and name-calling', claiming 'all of this stems from jealousy and envy'. YouTube star Mikayla Raines has died, aged 29, following relentless bullying online. Credit: Instagram
He said his wife was suffering from severe mental health challenges, including depression, autism and borderline personality disorder.
'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.
'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 the fame or money.'
Raines' husband vowed to continue her legacy. Raines' devastated husband Ethan paid tribute to her. Credit: Instagram
Save A Fox has become one of the biggest fox rescue organisations in America.
'Mikayla's light was obviously too bright for this world,' one follower wrote.
'She was a remarkable inspiration to myself and so many others. Save A Fox will always have my unwavering love, support and respect. For those that dimmed her light may you have the day you all deserve!'
Yet another wrote their condolences: 'Oh Mikayla. You were such a special person. My heart is hurting.'
If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
For further information about depression contact Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 or talk to your GP, local health professional or someone you trust.
Kids Helpline can also be contacted on 1800 55 1800 for support for young people aged 5 to 25.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Sydney influencer Hasan Sayour identified as dog breeder involved in alleged assault at dog show he was banned from
A dog breeder arrested for allegedly trying to force his way into a dog show and getting into a fight with a female staff member has been identified as a Sydney man with a significant social media following. NSW Police announced on Friday that Raptor Squad officers had charged a member of a 'notorious dog breeding group" in relation to an incident in Sydney's Castle Hill in May. Police were told a dog breeder and his associates were attempting to enter an American Bull Terrier dog show in Castle Hill they had been banned from, a police statement said. The man allegedly pushed a staff member to access the show ring, before displaying a dog breeding banner on the floor. He then allegedly got into a physical altercation with a female staff member after the employee tried to remove the banner. Police say the breeder and his associates left the dog show a short time later. A 33-year-old man was arrested by Raptor Squad officers about midday on Thursday in the suburb of Greenfield Park. The man was taken Fairfield Police Station and charged with common assault and enter enclosed land not prescribed premises without lawful excuse. He was granted strict bail conditions to appear in Fairfield Local Court on August 20, police have said. The Daily Telegraph have reported the man arrested is Hasan Sayour, who is behind dog breeding business 'Federal Bullies' which boasts 286,000 Instagram followers. The social media page regularly posts pictures of Mr Sayour sporting the Federal Bullies branding alongside dogs and puppies. Images released by NSW Police of their arrest on Thursday appear to show Mr Sayour handcuffed and wearing Federal Bullies apparel as he is led by officers from a residence into an unmarked vehicle. Mr Sayour is the nephew of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Yungblud vows to play Ozzy Osbourne's Changes 'every night'
Yungblud has vowed to perform Ozzy Osbourne's Changes "every night for the rest of my life" in tribute to the late rock icon. The music star was left devastated following the passing of the Black Sabbath legend - who died on Tuesday (22.07.25) at the age of 76 - just two weeks after his big Back To The Beginning reunion show in Birmingham, England. Yungblud performed Black Sabbath song Changes during the show and has since released it as a single to raise funds for charity - and now he's vowed to sing it every night to honour his late pal. In a post on Instagram, Yungblud shared his grief over the loss of his hero. He wrote: "I'm trying to compute the last couple days and honestly I'm absolutely f****** shattered. "You have been my North Star for everything for as long as I can remember from when I was misunderstood as a child to the way people thought I was just a little 'too much' or 'strange' in my life and career. "I owe so much to you, your wife and your family - you all gave me a road to run down and supported me when people would turn their nose up. "You loved life so much and you adored music. It was your smile man. You taught me it was beautiful to be out of the box. "I promise you with all my heart I will try my best and make it my life's journey to keep the sprit that you started and what you have taught me alive. I will give it my best shot." He added of his Changes cover: "To sing this song for you at an event surrounded by legends inspired by you to a crowd that loved you was truly my life's greatest honour and I vow to play this song every night for the rest of my life. "You're my hero in every regard. I hope you're up there avin [sic] a drink with Randy [Ozzy's late guitarist Randy Rhoads]. "For the prince of darkness you sure brought all the light to the world. I love you Ozzy." Yungblud's version of Changes - recorded at the Black Sabbath reunion show at Villa Park on July 5 - has been released to raise funds for organisations including Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorns Children's Hospice. The musician said of the release: "This was hands down the biggest moment of my entire life. I got to stand on stage and honour one of my heroes, and the fact that it has touched so many is truly overwhelming ... "The best part about this release is that we can take such a monumental moment, immortalise it on tape, release it and donate all the money to such important causes in Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital, and Acorns Children's Hospice. "This is what Rock and roll is about. Stream it, buy it, add it to your playlist - let's raise some f****** money."
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Hulk Hogan's death under medical investigation
Police in Florida have launched a medical investigation into Hulk Hogan's death. The wrestling icon, born Terry Bollea, passed away in a Florida hospital on Thursday (24.07.25) morning after paramedics were called to his home and spent more than an hour battling to save his life - and now police have confirmed no foul play is suspected but they will be reviewing what happened as "standard" procedure. During a press conference on Thursday (24.07.25), Major Nate Burnside of the Clearwater Police Department explained: "The Clearwater Police Department is conducting a medical investigation, which is standard in these types of cases. "There are no signs of foul play or suspicious activity related to this call for service at this time." He also added more details about the emergency call, saying: "Just before 10 AM, Clearwater Police Department responded to a house in the 1000 block of El Dorado Avenue for a medical related call. "It was discovered at that time that Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was experiencing a serious medical related issue. Personnel provided medical treatment at that time and transported Mr. Bollea to Morton Plant Hospital, where he died at 11:17 AM." Hogan's death was confirmed in a statement released by WWE shortly after the tragedy, which read: "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. "One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans." Hogan had been reported to be in ill health since having an adverse reaction to cervical surgery on his neck in June. His ex-manager and long-time friend Jimmy Hart had revealed the wrestling star was unable to talk and he had been moved from his bed at Morton Plant to his home for his recuperation. In February 2023, Hogan was seen walking with a cane and a month earlier, fellow wrestler Kurt Angle, 55, said the WWE veteran had lost all feeling in his legs after surgery. Speaking on The Kurt Angle Show, Kurt said: 'He had the nerves cut from his lower body. He can't feel his lower body. So (he) uses his cane to walk around.' He added: 'I thought he was using the cane because he had pain in his back. He doesn't have any pain. He has nothing at all. He can't feel anything.' Hogan's representative denied the claim at the time, telling Entertainment Tonight: 'Everything is OK with him. Hulk is someone with a lot of humour.' Hogan had been in and out of hospital in the months before his death. In June, he underwent a four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion – a complex neck surgery. His wife, 45-year-old Sky Daily, told fans on Instagram at the time he was recovering from the 'intense surgery with a long and layered healing process'. She said the operation had also affected his vocal cords and required breathing and feeding tubes. Sky added: 'He's healing and we're taking it one day at a time with love, strength, and patience." Rumours had spread on social media suggesting Hogan was in a coma, which Daily denied. 'No, he's definitely not in a coma!' she said, according to PennLive. She added: 'His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage.' Two days before Hulk's death, his longtime manager, 81-year-old Jimmy Hart, wrote on X: 'Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal!'
