YouTube star Mikayla Raines dies aged 29, husband announces in heartbreaking video

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.

The husband of Mikayla Raines has tragically confirmed that she's taken her own life, with the YouTube star passing away at the age of 29.

Known for her animal rights advocacy and for founding the Save A Fox foundation, Raines amassed over 2.4 million subscribers on her YouTube account, with Save A Fox locations in Florida and Minnesota.

On Instagram alone, Raines had 558k followers. Just one day before, a video showed her happily playing with a lemur as Ethan joked about what it was like being married to an animal lover.

Raines' husband took to social media on June 23, 2025, confirming her passing.

He explains Mikayla was suffering from extreme mental health issues, including borderline personality disorder and depression, with Ethan claiming that his wife was subjected to a barrage of online abuse.

More than just facing this from strangers, Ethan says others in the wildlife rescue community contributed to a campaign of harassment against Raines. In the video, he says: "They spread false rumors, and being the sensitive person she was, it deeply affected her.

"She tried for years to push through the pain, but this time it was too much."

This was exacerbated by "rude words, accusations and name-calling came from some of those she considered close friends."

Raines' husband said he thinks it stemmed from 'jealousy and envy,' adding that it all got too much after years of therapy and medications: "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.

"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."

Stating that Mikayla was "never in it for fame, money or personal gain," he went on to praise his late wife, stating: "She was truly one of the most selfless people I have ever known."

Referring to this 'unimaginable loss', he concluded: "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."

Raines started working with animals at the age of 15 when she volunteered with a wildlife rehabilitator, then opened Save A Fox in 2016 when she was just 20 years old.

Survived by Ethan and their daughter, Freya, Mikayla's husband has vowed to continue her work rescuing animals. Tributes have poured in, with nonprofit animal organisation Juniper Wildlife Refuge releasing the following statement: "This is so tragic So many in our community have foxes that only came to us because of Mikayla’s dedication to her mission and empathy toward animals."

"We will all carry a small piece of her light that lives on through them. There are really no words to describe how sorry I am for your loss and the pain that you and all of her loved ones are suffering.

"I hope her memory continues to bring all of you strength."

If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.