Mikayla Raines, a popular YouTube personality and animal rights advocate, tragically took her own life, as confirmed by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office. The 29-year-old, known for her animal rescue work, had amassed a significant following on social media. Raines was found dead on her property in Faribault, Minnesota, on June 20, according to reports.
Raines’ husband, Ethan Frankamp, first shared the news of her passing in a heartfelt Instagram post on June 22. He expressed his profound grief, describing her death as “the biggest loss of my life.” He revealed that Raines had been struggling with her emotions and had reached a point where she could no longer bear the pain.
Frankamp also shed light on the circumstances leading up to his wife’s death. He claimed that Raines, who had over 2.45 million YouTube subscribers, had been the target of an ongoing online bullying campaign. The harassment, he said, came from acquaintances and individuals associated with other animal sanctuaries. This constant negativity had a profound impact on Raines, making her feel as though the world had turned against her.
Upon discovering his wife’s lifeless body, Frankamp attempted to revive her with CPR for 15 minutes while waiting for emergency services to arrive. He also shared that their young daughter, Freya, was devastated by her mother’s untimely death.
In his emotional message, Frankamp addressed those he believed had contributed to his wife’s despair. He expressed his wish that they could have witnessed the tragic scene and his desperate attempts to save her. He described the loss as unimaginable, praising Raines as the most amazing and inspiring person he had ever known.
Frankamp also highlighted Raines’ struggles with autism, which, while making her life challenging, also allowed her to focus intensely on her passion for animals. In the wake of her death, he pledged to continue her legacy by maintaining the operation of the Save A Fox rescue center, which Raines had founded.