- If you are in crisis, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for support
YouTube star Mikayla Raines has died after being ‘relentlessly bullied’ in a targeted online campaign.
Her husband Ethan confirmed her death Monday by suicide in a heartbreaking Instagram post.
‘They spread false rumors, and being the sensitive person she was, it deeply affected her,’ he told her followers.
‘She tried for years to push through the pain, but this time it was too much.’
Raines, 29, had been battling a myriad of health conditions including depression, borderline personality disorder and autism.
She underwent years of therapy and had tried different medications.
Raines is best known for her nonprofit Save A Fox, which has locations in Florida and her home state of Minnesota.
The organization – which Raines founded in 2016 at age 20 and grew to become the largest fox rescue operation in the US – is focused on saving and rehabilitating foxes and other exotic animals.
Mikayla Raines has died after being ‘relentlessly bullied’ in a targeted online campaign
Mikayla Raines is survived by her husband Ethan and their young daughter Freya
The animal rights campaigner took her own life after being subjected to a lengthy online harassment campaign that saw both strangers and other animal rescuers hurl abuse at her, Ethan claimed.
She recently was met with ‘rude words, accusations and name-calling came from some of those she considered close friends’.
He suggested the abuse stemmed from ‘jealousy and envy’.
Ethan shared how Raines dedicated her entire life to saving animals, which began when she was just 15 years old and volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitator.
‘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 through his tears.
‘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 fame, money or personal gain.’
He shared how his ‘selfless’ wife would often but the needs of animals above her own.
She was ‘never held back by ideas that everyone else considered unrealistic’.
‘Mikayla was truly the most amazing and inspiring individual I have ever known, and not having her here makes everything feel empty,’ he said.
‘I feel broken.’
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
- If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for 24-hour, confidential support.
