Mikayla Anne Raines, a passionate animal rescuer, wildlife rehabilitator, and YouTube star, tragically passed away by suicide on June 20, 2025, at the age of 30 in Faribault, Minnesota. As the founder of SaveAFox Rescue, Mikayla dedicated her life to saving foxes from fur farms, amassing over 2.4 million YouTube subscribers and 500,000 Instagram followers through her inspiring work. Her untimely death, attributed to mental health struggles and online harassment, has left a profound void in the animal rescue community. This obituary honors her life, legacy, and impact, optimized for search visibility and heartfelt remembrance.
Early Life and Passion for Animals
Born on March 5, 1995, in Burnsville, Minnesota, Mikayla grew up in Lakeville on her mother’s 10-acre rural property. Influenced by her mother, Sandi Raines, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, Mikayla developed a deep connection with animals from a young age. At 15, she bottle-fed her first fox, sparking a lifelong passion. By 18, she began training to become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, earning her license in 2016. Her empathy for animals, particularly foxes, stemmed from her own experiences with social challenges, as she noted, “They’re shy in crowds. It takes them a while to get used to strangers.”
Founding SaveAFox Rescue
In 2017, at age 20, Mikayla founded SaveAFox Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Lakeville, Minnesota, dedicated to rescuing foxes from fur farms and rehoming those with injuries or defects. Despite early challenges, including permit disputes with Lakeville for keeping more than three foxes, her supporters raised $60,000 in three months, enabling her to establish a larger sanctuary in Rice County, near Faribault. By 2019, SaveAFox became the largest fox rescue in the U.S., saving over 150 foxes and working with minks and cats. In 2020, she opened a second sanctuary in Groveland, Florida. In 2024, Mikayla spent nearly $1 million to rehome 400 foxes from an Iowa fur farm, with plans to save 100 more at the time of her death.
Her YouTube channel, launched in 2009, and Instagram presence showcased her work, featuring foxes like Finnegan and Nikko, who became internet sensations. Mikayla’s videos educated millions about fox behavior and the challenges of exotic pet ownership, earning her widespread admiration.
Personal Life and Challenges
Mikayla was a devoted mother to her 3-year-old daughter, Freya, and wife to Ethan Frankcamp, whom she married in December 2020 at SaveAFox. Ethan, a volunteer at the rescue, was her steadfast partner, taking on significant responsibilities to support her mission. She is also survived by her mother, Sandi Raines; stepfather, Del Goetze; father, Don Borchert; sisters, Jennifer Swanson and Ashley Borchert; and brother, Jeff Goetze.
Mikayla faced significant mental health challenges, including autism, depression, and borderline personality disorder, which made her highly sensitive. Her husband noted that her autism allowed her to “hyperfocus” on animals but amplified the impact of online harassment. For years, she endured bullying from strangers, other animal rescuers, and even close friends, with false rumors spread on platforms like the now-private SaveaFoxSnark subreddit. This negativity, combined with the emotional toll of losing animals like Felix in 2024, overwhelmed her.
The Tragic Loss and Community Response
On June 20, 2025, Mikayla died by suicide at her home in Faribault. Ethan discovered her and performed CPR for 15 minutes, but paramedics could not revive her. In a tearful 12-minute video posted on June 23 to SaveAFox’s YouTube and Instagram, Ethan announced her passing, blaming relentless online harassment. “She couldn’t bear what she was feeling any longer,” he said, urging others to seek help and monitor loved ones for signs of distress. The Rice County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, with records classified as “active criminal investigative data.”
The animal rescue community and fans mourned deeply, with tributes flooding X and other platforms. One fan wrote, “Mikayla was a beacon of light in my darkest times. Her heart was pure as gold.” Another called her a “true hero” who saved thousands of animals. The Overwatch 2 community paid tribute, noting her foxes’ sounds were used for Kiriko’s fox spirit in the game.
Continuing Mikayla’s Legacy
Ethan vowed to continue SaveAFox’s mission, with a fundraiser to rescue 500 fur farm foxes raising over $146,000 toward a $700,000 goal. A celebration of life is scheduled for July 12, 2025, at SaveAFox, where Mikayla’s ashes will be scattered. Donations can be made via the SaveAFox website or GoFundMe to support her vision.
Conclusion
Mikayla Raines’ passing at 30 is a heartbreaking loss for the animal rescue community and her loved ones. Her dedication to saving foxes and educating millions through SaveAFox leaves an enduring legacy. This tribute invites fans to honor her by supporting her mission and raising awareness about mental health and cyberbullying.