YouTube Star Mikayla Raines Dies by Suicide at 29. 'She Couldn't Bear What She Was Feeling,' Says Husband
Fox rescue activist and YouTube star Mikayla Raines has died at the age of 29
Her husband Ethan confirmed the news in an Instagram video on Monday, June 23, and shared that this happened after she allegedly faced bulling from people whom she considered "close friends"
He noted that he planned to "continue her dream" of saving foxes and other animals "in her name"Fox rescue activist and YouTube star Mikayla Raines has died.
Her husband Ethan confirmed the news in an emotional video on Instagram on Monday, June 23, and shared that the 29-year-old Save a Fox founder died by suicide 'a couple days ago."
"She couldn't bear what she was feeling any longer and she ended her life," he said in the video, adding that her death is "the biggest loss of my life."
Ethan went on to share that he had to perform CPR on his wife for 15 minutes until first responders arrived and paramedics tried to revive her.
He added that her daughter Freya was "heartbroken" at her mother's death.
'We have suffered a loss that is unimaginable," Ethan wrote in the caption of the video. "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.'
'But I will continue her dream, and I hope to have your support going forward so that we can do good in her name,' he added.
In the Instagram video, he noted that while Mikayla — who founded her Minnesota-based non-profit in 2017 when she was just 20-years-old — was 'one of the most selfless people I have ever known' due to her work with animals, she also faced several challenges in her private 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,' an emotional Ethan said in the video.
He also noted that the wildlife activist, who garnered over 2.4 million subscribers on YouTube, was "so sensitive to everything,' which was 'a double-edged sword.'
'On one hand, it allowed her endless empathy for those in her care. But it also means that she took everything negative to heart,' he continued.
Ethan added that in recent years, Mikayla and her animal rescue non-profit had allegedly been the focus of an 'online bullying campaign' from people she knew, including those who worked at 'other animal sanctuaries.' He said this 'hurt her a lot' and while she initially 'pushed through,' things got worse in recent months when people 'she considered her close friends' started joining in.
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'[Mikayla] felt as if the entire world had turned against her,' Ethan said. 'She couldn't bear what she was feeling any longer. And she ended her life. And it breaks my heart that is selfless and devoted her life to animals could have so much negativity pointed at her,' he added.
Ethan concluded his video noting that if anyone felt "lost and hopeless," they should "reach out to someone."
He added that people should continue to "look out" for their loved ones, "look for the signs" and "do something or say something before it's too late." He also shared that he would continue Mikayla's legacy and work to save foxes.
PEOPLE has reached out to a contact for Save a Fox for comment.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
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