The cause of death of Mikayla Raines, a beloved wildlife advocate and founder of a fox rescue nonprofit who recently died at the age of 29, has been revealed.
Raines was widely known for her passionate work in animal welfare and her popular YouTube channel, where she shared insights into fox care and education with over 2.4 million subscribers. Her gentle presence and dedication earned her a devoted following of animal lovers across the world.
On June 22, her husband Ethan Raines shared the heartbreaking news in a video on Instagram, revealing that Mikayla had died by suicide “a couple days ago.”
According to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, Raines was found deceased on June 20 at her home in Faribault, Minnesota. TMZ reported that she had died by hanging in the barn on her property.
"She couldn't bear what she was feeling any longer, and she ended her life," Ethan said in the emotional video. "It’s the biggest loss of my life."
He explained that he had attempted to save her, performing CPR for 15 minutes until first responders arrived and paramedics tried to revive her. Their young daughter, Freya, is “heartbroken” by her mother’s death, he added.
In the same video, Ethan spoke openly about Mikayla’s neurodiversity and how it shaped her 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,” he said.
He described her as “so sensitive to everything,” explaining that her heightened empathy was both a gift and a burden: “It allowed her endless empathy for those in her care, but it also means that she took everything negative to heart.”
Ethan also addressed what he described as an “online bullying campaign” that Mikayla and her animal rescue organization had endured in recent years. He claimed that individuals, including some who worked at “other animal sanctuaries,” had targeted her with criticism and harassment.
"This hurt her a lot," Ethan said, noting that although she initially “pushed through,” things became even more painful when people she “considered her close friends” began to join in. “Mikayla felt as if the entire world had turned against her.”
Ethan ended the video with a heartfelt message to anyone experiencing similar emotional struggles. “If anyone out there is feeling lost and hopeless, please reach out to someone,” he said.
The loss of Mikayla Raines has left a void in the animal advocacy community and among those who admired her work and compassion. Her legacy lives on through her rescue efforts and the countless lives (both animal and human) she touched.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.