Latest news with #EthanRaines
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fox rescue activist and popular YouTuber Mikayla Raines dies by suicide, husband announces
Fox rescue activist and popular YouTuber Mikayla Raines dies by suicide, husband announces originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Mikayla Raines, the founder of Minnesota-based Save a Fox Rescue who built a huge following on YouTube and social media through her activism, has died by suicide. Her death was confirmed by her husband Ethan in an emotional post to Save a Fox Rescue's social pages, as he reveals she took her own life as she struggled to cope with harassment, some of which shared online. She is survived by Ethan and their daughter, Freya. Fighting through tears during the 11-minute video, Ethan says his wife was open about her struggles with autism, depression, and borderline personality disorder, and while this helped her hyper-fixate on her relentless efforts to rescue foxes and other animals, it also made her more susceptible to abuse. "She was so sensitive to everything, which is a double-edged sword because on one hand it allowed her endless empathy for those in her care, but it also means that she took everything negative to heart," he says. He then proceeds to address "how words whether spoken in person or written online can affect someone," specifically referring to a group of people who have been "throwing dirt on Mikayla's name and the rescue" for a few years, saying they "consistently spread ridiculous claims and rumors." "Being the sensitive human that she was, Mikayla took it all to heart, and it hurt her a lot, but she pushed through for years. She pushed through the pain of people trying to bring her down and the mental challenges she faced and she still rescued hundreds of animals and changed the lives of so many," Ethan continues. "But recently more of the rude words accusations and name calling came from some of those she considered close friends. I think all of this stems from jealousy and envy, but she felt as if the entire world had turned against her. She had always battled with borderline personality disorder causing emotional instability as well as impulsive behaviors, but this time it went too far. "She couldn't bear what she was feeling any longer and she ended her life." Raines was featured by Bring Me The News in 2018, during the formative years of her fox activism when she was based in Lakeville. She founded the nonprofit Save a Fox Rescue in 2019, with its rescue and rehabilitation center now based in Faribault. Over the years, Raines' efforts have contributed to the rescue of thousands of foxes and other animals from fur farms. It also made her a viral star, with Save a Fox accumulating more than 2.4 million followers on YouTube, 1.5 million on Facebook and 550,000 on Instagram. Ethan says that her performed CPR for 15 minutes on Raines until first responders arrived, and says he wishes those who directed negativity towards her could see the heartbreak they have caused. "I wish you understood what you were doing before you did it before it had to go this far, and I wish you understood that words do have real and terrible consequences. "If you only have negative garbage to say just shut up, and if you are feeling lost and hopeless please reach out to someone, whether it's friends and family or calling a hotline and to everyone else please." Ethan says that he will endeavor to continue Raines' work at Save a Fox. "From a young age she dedicated every waking moment 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 truly one of the most selfless people I have ever known," he said. If you or someone you know needs emotional or mental support, call or text 988 or visit the . This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
YouTube Star Mikayla Raines Dies by Suicide at 29. 'She Couldn't Bear What She Was Feeling,' Says Husband
Fox rescue activist and YouTube star Mikayla Raines has died at the age of 29 Her husband Ethan confirmed the news in an Instagram video on Monday, June 23, and shared that this happened after she allegedly faced bulling from people whom she considered "close friends" He noted that he planned to "continue her dream" of saving foxes and other animals "in her name"Fox rescue activist and YouTube star Mikayla Raines has died. Her husband Ethan confirmed the news in an emotional video on Instagram on Monday, June 23, and shared that the 29-year-old Save a Fox founder died by suicide 'a couple days ago." "She couldn't bear what she was feeling any longer and she ended her life," he said in the video, adding that her death is "the biggest loss of my life." Ethan went on to share that he had to perform CPR on his wife for 15 minutes until first responders arrived and paramedics tried to revive her. He added that her daughter Freya was "heartbroken" at her mother's death. 'We have suffered a loss that is unimaginable," Ethan wrote in the caption of the video. "Mikayla was truly the most amazing and inspiring individual I have ever known, and not having her here makes everything feel empty. I feel broken.' 'But I will continue her dream, and I hope to have your support going forward so that we can do good in her name,' he added. In the Instagram video, he noted that while Mikayla — who founded her Minnesota-based non-profit in 2017 when she was just 20-years-old — was 'one of the most selfless people I have ever known' due to her work with animals, she also faced several challenges in her private life. '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,' an emotional Ethan said in the video. He also noted that the wildlife activist, who garnered over 2.4 million subscribers on YouTube, was "so sensitive to everything,' which was 'a double-edged sword.' 'On one hand, it allowed her endless empathy for those in her care. But it also means that she took everything negative to heart,' he continued. Ethan added that in recent years, Mikayla and her animal rescue non-profit had allegedly been the focus of an 'online bullying campaign' from people she knew, including those who worked at 'other animal sanctuaries.' He said this 'hurt her a lot' and while she initially 'pushed through,' things got worse in recent months when people 'she considered her close friends' started joining in. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. '[Mikayla] felt as if the entire world had turned against her,' Ethan said. 'She couldn't bear what she was feeling any longer. And she ended her life. And it breaks my heart that is selfless and devoted her life to animals could have so much negativity pointed at her,' he added. Ethan concluded his video noting that if anyone felt "lost and hopeless," they should "reach out to someone." He added that people should continue to "look out" for their loved ones, "look for the signs" and "do something or say something before it's too late." He also shared that he would continue Mikayla's legacy and work to save foxes. PEOPLE has reached out to a contact for Save a Fox for comment. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to Read the original article on People
CBS News
24-06-2025
- CBS News
Mikayla Raines, founder of Minnesota's Save A Fox rescue, dies at 29, husband says
Mikayla Raines, the force behind the Minnesota-based Save A Fox rescue who found fame on YouTube for her devotion to helping animals, has died by suicide at 29, according to her husband. In a video published on her rescue's Facebook page on Monday, her husband, Ethan Raines, announced she died on Saturday. "From a young age, she dedicated every waking hour of her life to helping [animals], whether it was helping a snapping turtle cross the road, we're saving 500 foxes from a terrible fur farm. She was never in it for fame, money or personal gain," said Ethan Raines. He said his wife saved thousands of animals in her lifetime, in addition to being a "wonderful wife and caring mother." Ethan Raines said in the video his wife "struggled with autism, with depression, with borderline personality disorder and more," and was an advocate for autism awareness. He went on to say she endured a lot of online bullying, most recently from people "she considered close friends." "If you only have negative garbage to say, just shut up," he said. "And if you are feeling lost and hopeless, please reach out to someone, whether it's friends and family or calling a hotline." Mikayla Raines in 2019. WCCO Ethan Raines says he plans to hold an event in her honor "where everyone can come here and pay their final respects." "I gave Mikayla all of my love and energy, and I will do the same with this rescue going forward. As long as you are all here to support us, we can do this," he said. Mikayla Raines founded Save A Fox in Lakeville in 2017, initially finding herself at odds with the City Council for violating her permit by taking in more than twice the number of foxes allowed, and by expanding the fencing on her property, according to city officials. "Ninety percent of the foxes that come through here are getting re-homed," she told WCCO in 2017. "I consider them my family." Although she lost her permit, she received $60,000 in donations in just a three-month span, leading her to open a bigger operation near Faribault in Rice County. Mikayla Raines told WCCO she began caring for animals as a teenager, first taking in a fox when she was 19 to save it from a fur farm. "These foxes need a place to go, so I want to make that happen," she told WCCO in 2019. "And I'm going to do whatever it takes to do that." If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For more information about mental health care resources and support, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. ET, at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or email info@
Al Bawaba
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
YouTuber and Fox rescuer Mikayla Raines dead at 31 in tragic suicide
ALBAWABA - YouTuber and founder of 'Save a Fox' rescue, Mikayla Raines has tragically passed away at the age of 31 after suffering from online harassment, according to her husband, Ethan. Ethan revealed that Raines was subjected to online bullying, including people who she thought were her friends. Additionally, he revealed that Raines was also suffering from mental health challenges before her tragic passing, including depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder. He said, "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." Her husband took to 'Save a Fox' rescue's official Instagram account and revealed the tragic news via video to Mikayal Raines' followers. Ethan wrote in the caption, "We have suffered a loss that is unimaginable. Mikayla was truly the most amazing and inspiring individual I have ever known, and not having her here makes everything feel empty. I feel broken. But I will continue her dream, and I hope to have your support going forward so that we can do good in her name." Additionally, he vowed to continue her legacy of selflessness and kindness towards animals. Mikayla Raines and Ethan (Social media) Social media was flooded with comments by users who spread awareness regarding the effects of online bullying and offered Ethan their condolences due to the tragic incident. An Instagram user responded to Ethan's video and wrote, "Our rescue community has lost such a unique and driven soul. Ethan, it was incredibly brave and admirable of you to share this yourself - our hearts and prayers are with you, sweet Freya, and the entire SAF family." Another added, "I'm sick to my stomach and completely shocked. A huge loss to the world. My deepest condolences to her friends and family. To all those who said a bad word about this amazing woman, you have blood on your hands. Be kind, you never know what someone is suffering with inside."
