The animal-rescue community continues to mourn Mikayla Raines, the Minnesota wildlife rescuer and YouTube creator who founded SaveAFox Rescue and became widely known for her dedication to foxes and other vulnerable animals.
Raines died by suicide in June 2025, according to information from her family and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office. Her death prompted an outpouring of grief among supporters and renewed discussion about the effects of prolonged online harassment and the pressures faced by people who live their lives in the public eye.
Her husband, Ethan Frankamp, announced her death publicly and spoke about the impact that years of online bullying and harassment had on Raines. The medical examiner later confirmed suicide as her cause of death. Reports differed over her age at the time of her passing, with some early accounts identifying her as 29 and later reports stating that she was 30.
Raines devoted much of her life to animal rescue. Through SaveAFox Rescue, the Minnesota nonprofit she founded, she worked to provide care for foxes and other animals that had been neglected, injured or otherwise unable to survive safely without human assistance.
The organization became known for providing veterinary care, rehabilitation and permanent homes for animals that could not be returned to the wild. Raines’ work gave many of those animals a second chance while also educating the public about their needs and individual personalities.
Her rescue efforts reached a global audience through YouTube and social media. Her channel eventually attracted more than two million subscribers, allowing viewers around the world to follow the animals in her care and learn about the challenges involved in wildlife rescue.
For supporters, Raines became closely associated with compassion and animal advocacy. SaveAFox grew into a community that brought together viewers, donors, volunteers and animal lovers who connected with the rescue’s mission.
Her husband described Raines as deeply empathetic and highly sensitive, qualities that contributed to her strong bond with animals. Those same qualities, he said, also made persistent criticism and cruelty online particularly difficult for her.
Following her death, Frankamp spoke about the consequences of online harassment and encouraged people to consider the impact their words can have on others. Raines’ passing subsequently became part of broader conversations about cyberbullying, responsible online behavior and the importance of seeking and providing mental-health support.
For the people who followed her work, however, Raines’ legacy remains closely tied to the animals she rescued and the community she built around them. Her videos introduced millions of viewers to foxes that might otherwise have remained unknown and helped generate interest in animal welfare and rescue.
The circumstances of her death have also highlighted the importance of taking emotional distress seriously. Sustained harassment can have serious consequences, and people experiencing overwhelming distress should not have to face it alone.
Raines will be remembered for the animals she cared for, the awareness she brought to wildlife rescue and the community that grew around her mission. Through SaveAFox Rescue, her work continues to provide a lasting connection to the cause to which she devoted so much of her life.
Her death left a painful absence for her husband, family, friends, supporters and the many people who followed her rescue journey. But the animals she helped and the people she inspired remain an enduring part of her story.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please seek immediate help from local emergency services or a qualified mental-health professional.