Animal rescuer Mikayla Raines dies by suicide after online harassment
WEB DESK: Mikayla Raines, founder of the popular YouTube channel Save a Fox Rescue, has died by suicide at age 30, her husband Ethan Frankamp announced in an emotional video. The Minnesota-based rescuer, who amassed over 2.4 million subscribers, dedicated her life to saving foxes from the fur trade while openly sharing her struggles with autism, depression, and borderline personality disorder.
Frankamp revealed that Raines had faced relentless online harassment, including false rumours spread by fellow rescuers. “Being the sensitive human she was, Mikayla took it all to heart,” he said, urging critics to “just shut up” and those struggling to seek help. Since 2017, her nonprofit rescued 150 foxes, many adopted out after rehabilitation.
The animal rescue community mourned Raines as a “bright light” who “moved mountains” for animals. At the time of her death, she was fundraising to save 500 foxes from a fur farm, a campaign met with backlash. KJ Farms Animal Rescue noted how “judgment rolled in faster than support,” even from peers.
Raines is survived by her husband and 3-year-old daughter Freya. The Rice County Sheriff’s Office is investigating her death.