Latest news with #SaveAFoxRescue
Mint
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Overwatch 2 players pay tribute to Mikayla Raines who died by suicide
The Overwatch 2 community is mourning the death of YouTuber Mikayla Raines. The news was confirmed by her husband, Ethan Raines. Ethan, on June 23, uploaded a video to YouTube channel explaining that his wife had taken her life after being harassed online. He said, 'They consistently spread ridiculous claims and rumors, and being the sensitive human that she was, Mikayla took it all to heart, adding it hurt her a lot. For years, she pushed through the pain of people trying to bring her down. But this time, it went too far.' Mikayla Raines had launched Save A Fox Rescue in 2017, an animal rescue nonprofit based in Lakeville, Minnesota, when she was just 20 years old. The organisation focuses on saving foxes from fur farms and finding them permanent homes and, as per its website, has rescued over 150 foxes. The internet has been paying tribute to Raines on her tragic demise. Shortly after news of Raines' death, the Overwatch 2 community had their attention turned to a 2024 Facebook post from SaveAFox. 'Did you know that in Overwatch 2, Kiriko's fox spirit features the sounds of your favorite SaveAFox foxes?' they said. The resurgence of this post took the OW2 fandom by storm, with many learning about Mikayla and her story. 'This news hit me like a truck. I didn't know her foxes voiced the Kitsune, my heart broke even more now. I'd like to think she found peace that the people that pushed her into this decision will never find,' someone else chimed in. So far, Blizzard has yet to address Raines' death, and it's unclear if they plan to add an in-game item as tribute to her. Mikayla Raines was a YouTuber who founded SaveAFox Rescue. According to reports, Mikayla Raines took her life after prolonged online harassment. SaveAFox Rescue is an animal rescue nonprofit based in Lakeville, Minnesota, that was founded by Mikayla Raines in 2017.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
YouTube Star Mikayla Raines Dies By Suicide At 29, Husband Blames Online Bullying
Animal rescue activist and YouTube star Mikayla Raines died by suicide earlier this month, her husband, Ethan Raines, said on Monday in an emotional Instagram video. According to the post, the 29-year-old YouTuber took her own life after she allegedly faced bullying from people whom she considered "close friends". Mr Raines said that for years, his wife suffered from various mental health issues and struggled to cope with online criticism. "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." "We have suffered a loss that is unimaginable," Mr Raines 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. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mikayla Raines (@saveafox_rescue) In the video, Mr Raines said that his wife, 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". But due to her work with animals, she 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," Mr Raines said in the video. He noted that the wildlife activist 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. Further, Mr Raines said that in recent years, his wife 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. "It breaks my heart that is selfless and devoted her life to animals could have so much negativity pointed at her," Mr Raines said. "Those of you that pushed her to this, every one of you that had been responsible for making her feel this way, I wish you had to feel what she felt. I wish you had to feel what I feel," he added. Mr Raines concluded the video, noting that if anyone felt "lost and hopeless," they should reach out to someone. He also said 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 said he intends to continue his wife's work to save foxes. Notably, Mikayla Raines created a nonprofit animal rescue organisation, SaveAFox Rescue, in 2017, when she was 20 years old. The organisation is dedicated to rescuing foxes from fur farms and providing them with "forever homes". According to its website, the NGO has saved more than 150 foxes.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
SaveAFox founder Mikayla Raines' husband keeps her promise after tragic death
Ethan Frankamp, husband of the late Mikayla Raines, founder of the widely-followed SaveAFox Rescue, has shared a touching moment as he honours her memory in the way she would've wanted most. In a recent Instagram Story shared through the SaveAFox account, Frankamp posted a video of himself walking one of Raines' most beloved rescues, a fox named Finnegan. In the video, Frankamp reflects on how no matter the weather or workload, Mikayla never skipped Finnegan's walk. 'Even after a long, exhausting day, she made sure he got his time outside,' he says softly in the background. 'I didn't really feel up to it today, but I knew I couldn't let him down. I hope she's watching and that she's proud.' Raines, who built a massive online following for her work rehabilitating foxes through her Minnesota-based nonprofit, passed away recently. Frankamp confirmed her death in an emotional YouTube video on June 23, explaining that his wife had died by suicide. He revealed that Mikayla had long struggled with online harassment, which intensified in recent months. According to Frankamp, she was deeply affected by targeted negativity and personal attacks from people within and outside the animal rescue community. 'She took it to heart,' he said, explaining that the criticism, combined with her mental health challenges, including autism, depression, and borderline personality disorder became too much for her to bear. 'She felt like the world had turned against her,' he shared. The couple share a young daughter, Freya. Though devastated, Frankamp is doing what he can to carry on Mikayla's legacy and honour her after her passing.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- 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.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Overwatch 2 fans mourn SaveAFox's Mikayla Raines after tragic death
The Overwatch 2 community is mourning the death of Mikayla Raines, the founder of SaveAFox Rescue, following confirmation that she died by suicide in June after experiencing prolonged online harassment. Raines' husband, Ethan Raines, shared the news in an emotional video posted to their YouTube channel, explaining how years of online bullying took a toll on her mental health. 'She pushed through for so long, but this time, it went too far,' he said. Mikayla Raines founded SaveAFox in 2017 at age 20. Based in Minnesota, the organization has rescued over 150 foxes from fur farms, giving them a second chance at life. Following her passing, Overwatch 2 fans rediscovered a 2024 Facebook post from SaveAFox, revealing that Blizzard Entertainment had recorded the vocalizations of Raines' foxes for the character Kiriko's fox spirit. 'Blizzard brought a sound crew and recorded our foxes overnight,' the post read. The team also made a charitable donation to the rescue. Mikayla Raines has passed away 🕊️ With a deep commitment to rescued foxes, Mikayla created @SaveAFox_rescue, where their sounds were used for Kiriko's spirit fox in Overwatch 2. Rest in peace, Mikayla 🖤 — Overwatch Cavalry (@OWCavalry) June 25, 2025 We lost a true hero, a beacon of hope, an inspiration, and a beloved person. She helped save thousands of animals, especially foxes. What happened to her was cruel and truly heartbreaking, and she will be missed Rest in peace Mikayla Raines#saveafox — KamiKitsune VA (@Prussian_Kami) June 23, 2025 The revelation brought renewed attention to Raines' work, with fans calling for Blizzard to create a tribute in-game—suggestions range from a Kiriko charm to a memorial monument. Blizzard has not yet publicly addressed Raines' death or potential tributes. Meanwhile, players continue to share tributes and express grief over the loss of a beloved figure whose animals helped bring a key game character to life. If you or someone you know is struggling, contact mental health support services in your region.
