The mother of YouTuber Mikayla Raines has spoken publicly about the cyberbullying her daughter faced in the weeks leading up to her death. In a message shared after Mikayla’s passing, her mother, Sandi, revealed how the harassment had taken a serious toll on her daughter’s mental health.
Mikayla Raines, 29, was the founder of Save A Fox, a popular YouTube channel and nonprofit animal rescue dedicated to saving and rehabilitating foxes and other animals. With over 2 million subscribers, her videos showed her work with rescued animals and drew a wide audience. On June 21, Mikayla died by suicide at her home in Rice County, Minnesota.
Family speaks out after harassment claims
In her statement to US Weekly, Sandi explained that Mikayla had been subjected to online bullying, including hurtful comments and false rumors spread by individuals within the animal rescue community.
She said Mikayla was a sensitive person who struggled with her mental health, including autism, depression, and borderline personality disorder, which left her more vulnerable to the impact of the bullying.
“I thought [she] would be here a little longer, but her mental issues were … They started when she was just very, very young,” she told the publication.
Sandi said that people were making up “complete lies” about Mikayla on social media, and that they falsely claimed she was an “animal hoarder.”
Mikayla’s husband, Ethan Frankamp, also addressed the situation in a video posted to YouTube.
He confirmed that Mikayla had faced significant online harassment and described how he performed CPR on his wife before emergency responders arrived. He said that the harassment included accusations and personal attacks from people who were once considered friends or members of the same rescue community.
Sandi said she hoped that people would reflect on the harm caused by their words and actions online. She asked for accountability and awareness, noting that such behavior can have devastating consequences, particularly for individuals already facing mental health challenges.
A celebration of Mikayla’s life is scheduled to take place at the Save A Fox sanctuary on July 12. Supporters have since called for increased attention to online bullying and the importance of mental health support for those affected.
On June 24, Overwatch players were left mourning after realizing Mikayla’s foxes were the voice of Kiriko’s spirit.
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