YouTube Star Mikayla Raines Dies By Suicide At 29, Husband Blames Online Bullying
Animal rescue activist and YouTube star Mikayla Raines died by suicide earlier this month, her husband, Ethan Raines, said on Monday in an emotional Instagram video. According to the post, the 29-year-old YouTuber took her own life after she allegedly faced bullying from people whom she considered "close friends". Mr Raines said that for years, his wife suffered from various mental health issues and struggled to cope with online criticism. "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."
"We have suffered a loss that is unimaginable," Mr Raines 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.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Mikayla Raines (@saveafox_rescue)
In the video, Mr Raines said that his wife, 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". But due to her work with animals, she 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," Mr Raines said in the video. He noted that the wildlife activist 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.
Further, Mr Raines said that in recent years, his wife 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.
"It breaks my heart that is selfless and devoted her life to animals could have so much negativity pointed at her," Mr Raines said. "Those of you that pushed her to this, every one of you that had been responsible for making her feel this way, I wish you had to feel what she felt. I wish you had to feel what I feel," he added.
Mr Raines concluded the video, noting that if anyone felt "lost and hopeless," they should reach out to someone. He also said 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 said he intends to continue his wife's work to save foxes.
Notably, Mikayla Raines created a nonprofit animal rescue organisation, SaveAFox Rescue, in 2017, when she was 20 years old. The organisation is dedicated to rescuing foxes from fur farms and providing them with "forever homes". According to its website, the NGO has saved more than 150 foxes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
UAE fines bank Dh3.5m, bans accepting new customers for 6 months over Sharia, AML breaches
The UAE Central Bank fined a bank Dh3.5 million and banned new customers for six months due to violations of Sharia governance and anti-money laundering regulations/(File) A UAE-based bank has been penalised by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) for failing to comply with Sharia governance requirements. The disciplinary action includes a six-month ban on accepting new customers and a financial penalty of Dh3,502,214. According to a statement from the CBUAE, the sanctions stem from supervisory examinations that uncovered the bank's non-compliance with the Sharia Governance Framework governing Islamic banking services. These examinations also found violations of other legal provisions applicable to financial institutions in the country. Legal Basis and Regulatory Context The penalties were imposed under Article 137 of Decretal Federal Law No. (14) of 2018, which outlines the role of the Central Bank in the regulation and oversight of financial institutions within the UAE. This law also covers the organisation and supervision of financial activities, including Islamic banking, and allows the CBUAE to take necessary action in cases of misconduct or non-compliance. The CBUAE has not disclosed the name of the bank involved but made clear that the violations relate specifically to Sharia compliance, a core requirement for institutions offering Islamic financial services in the country. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Install the Perfect Pool at Home – Start Here Backyard Pool | Search Ads Learn More Undo Central Bank's Commitment to Integrity and Transparency In its official statement, the Central Bank reaffirmed its commitment to upholding transparency, integrity, and regulatory compliance in the UAE's financial system. It emphasised that all licensed financial institutions are expected to meet the legal standards, particularly those that apply to Sharia-compliant banking. 'The CBUAE remains committed to ensuring that all licensed financial institutions operating in the UAE adhere to the legal and regulatory standards established to uphold transparency and integrity in the banking sector,' the statement said. This enforcement action is part of the CBUAE's ongoing efforts to maintain financial stability and public trust in the banking sector. By applying such regulatory measures, the Central Bank aims to preserve the soundness of the country's financial institutions and reinforce the credibility of Islamic banking in the UAE.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Fitness influencer 'Liver King' arrested after threatening Joe Rogan online
Social media fitness influencer Brian Johnson, also popularly known as "Liver King," was arrested on Tuesday night at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas. The 47-year-old was arrested by the Austin police following reported threats made against podcast host Joe Rogan through social reported by ABC news, the authorities say Johnson posted a video on Instagram Monday, in which he challenged Rogan to a physical fight, stating, 'Man to man, I'm picking a fight with you,' despite having no formal combat training. Rogan, a seasoned martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, has never interacted with Police Investigate Online ThreatsAfter the video went viral, investigators followed Johnson as he drove to Austin and continued to make threatening comments. In a police statement, Rogan said he did indeed consider the messages threatening. Detectives then obtained an arrest warrant for Johnson on a Class B misdemeanor count of making a terroristic on Johnson's social media captured the time leading to his arrest. He talked in the video about going to prison and a potential fight with Rogan. The officers were seen handcuffing him and leading him to a patrol to ABC News, Johnson is still in custody at Travis County Jail while the investigation goes on. Authorities refused to give more information, saying the case is arrest increases the Liver King's mounting number of controversies. Johnson also made news in 2022 when he admitted to steroid use, even though he had spent years propagating a "natural" body according to an ancient lifestyle and raw meat Warnings and BacklashMedical professionals have been continually negative in their review of Johnson's diet advice, cautioning against the health risks of eating raw meat and the psychological consequences of excessive body image stress. Harvard Medical School psychiatrist Dr. Harrison Pope warned in 2023 of the compulsive behaviors associated with steroid use and body steroid confession video gained more than 4 million views, triggering widespread outrage and contributing to a sudden drop in public confidence.- Ends
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Now, cyber thugs target Chandigarh DSP, seek donations using his fake profiles
1 2 3 Chandigarh: Cyber fraudsters allegedly created fake profiles of a Chandigarh DSP, demanding money from his acquaintances under the pretext of his mother's illness. The cheaters created several fake profiles of DSP Lakshya Pandey on Facebook and sent requests for money on his "behalf". Based on the statement of the DSP, the cyber police started a probe after registering a case. A gang of cyber thugs allegedly sent obscene messages to women from one of the fake profiles. The cheaters also asked for money from people by pretending to be the DSP. The accused made fake Aadhaar cards and police ID cards in his name. DSP Lakshya Pandey is on deputation in Chandigarh and is posted at the road and safety department, Traffic Police. In his complaint to the cyber police, Pandey said not only his image is getting damaged due to the illegal activities, but common people are also being troubled. Pandey told the police that fake accounts have been created in his name on Facebook and Instagram, in which his photo in uniform has been used. People are being asked for money from these accounts, he alleged. Some of these accounts also have a blue tick, which may have been obtained by paying money or through wrong means, the DSP. The DSP said cheaters have been demanding money from people by telling lies, such as "mother is unwell" or "I need to send a gift from the UK." Sending wrong and misleading messages to women is tarnishing his image. Many students and people have been duped as they thought this was the real DSP Lakshya Pandey. Fake Aadhaar cards and police ID cards have also been made, using his photo and name. Chandigarh cyber cell registered an FIR against unknown persons under the relevant sections of the IT Act and started a probe. It is not the first time online cheaters created fake profiles of senior police officials. Earlier, the cheaters also created fake profiles of SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, former IGP, SP, and other DSPs on social media and demanded money. MSID:: 122071866 413 |
