At first glance, Mikayla Raines was a viral success story. Her rescue fox Finnegan “laughed” on camera, lifting spirits during the pandemic and racking up millions of views. But behind the scenes, Mikayla faced a mounting mental health battle, one worsened by online cruelty.
On June 21, 2025, she died at age 29. Her passing rocked the animal rescue world, sparking painful questions about how digital fame turned into a weapon. So how did it come to this?
Building Joy, One Fox at a Time
Mikayla didn’t just save foxes, she built a movement. Her YouTube channel, SaveAFox, became a lifeline for over 2.4 million fans, showing moments of healing and joy through rescued animals. But as her audience grew, so did the scrutiny.
Every success brought more pressure. Every misstep, more outrage. Mikayla was fighting for animals, all while battling depression, autism, and borderline personality disorder. But the real toll of that fight? That comes into view on the next slide.
How Did She Die?
Her husband, Ethan, confirmed Mikayla died by suicide. She had tried therapy, medications, and mood stabilizers, but nothing worked. For someone already carrying the weight of psychological struggles, the cruelty she faced online became unbearable.
What makes this even harder? Mikayla wasn’t just struggling privately. Her pain was public, dissected in real time by millions. And many of the harshest attacks came from communities claiming to care about animals. But were they really about “accountability”?
The Rise of Weaponized ‘Concern’
“Snark forums” exploded in popularity, especially after 2022. On Reddit, Discord, and elsewhere, users formed tight-knit groups dedicated to mocking public figures like Mikayla. They claimed it was about ethics, but it was often cruelty cloaked as concern. These platforms rewarded humiliation, not nuance.
The animal rescue community itself fractured, as petty rivalries and judgment replaced solidarity. For Mikayla, the online world that once uplifted her became impossible to survive. And people with autism are especially vulnerable.
The Hidden Danger of Autism and Fame
Autistic people often find refuge online, where they can control interactions and sensory input. But Mikayla’s neurodivergence also made her an easy target. She struggled with rejection sensitivity and social cues, traits that snark forums ruthlessly exploited.
Studies show up to 47% of autistic people are bullied, and cyberbullying hits hard. Mikayla’s openness was supposed to build trust. Instead, it made her vulnerable to ridicule from strangers convinced they were the moral police. And Finnegan, the fox who made her famous, only intensified the spotlight.
The Trap of Going Viral
Finnegan’s “laughter” made headlines worldwide. But with viral success came a curse: Mikayla needed online support to fund her rescue work, yet visibility exposed her to relentless judgment.
Research shows platforms like YouTube reward creators who reveal vulnerable details, but offer no protection when that vulnerability attracts harassment. The very things that made Mikayla’s videos special became the things critics used against her. And behind it all, the platforms profiting off her story did almost nothing to help.
Platforms Profit While Creators Suffer
Mikayla’s death spotlights a larger failure. Social platforms use engagement-driven algorithms that amplify outrage and cruelty because it keeps users online. Section 230 shields these companies from liability, meaning there’s no real accountability when creators are harmed.
YouTube offers mental health resources, but only after content is flagged. There’s no safety net for creators living on the edge. The result? People like Mikayla are left exposed to harassment that slowly tears them apart. But her death may force a reckoning.
A Community in Shock, and a Wake-Up Call
Mikayla’s death shook the animal rescue world. Her story pushed conversations about the mental health crisis among creators into the spotlight. In response, new services like CreatorCare, a therapy platform for influencers, have started emerging. But it may be too little, too late.
The combination of public vulnerability, inconsistent income, and nonstop exposure is wearing people down. What happened to Mikayla is tragic, but it’s also a warning. And it’s one we can’t afford to ignore.
What Must Change Now
Protecting creators like Mikayla means rethinking how online spaces work. Social media platforms need dedicated anti-harassment teams. Lawmakers must pass laws that hold companies accountable for harm caused by toxic engagement algorithms.
The rescue community also needs mental health resources tailored to public-facing volunteers. And we need more research, especially on how neurodivergent creators are affected by online abuse. Because this isn’t just one tragedy. It’s a systemic failure. And we all play a role in fixing it.
Her Legacy—and the Work Ahead
Mikayla saved around 150 foxes during her lifetime. She inspired millions. But she was also a victim of a broken system that rewards cruelty and punishes compassion. Her husband Ethan says, “I won’t let negativity win.” Neither should we.
Her death must be a turning point. We owe it to Mikayla, and to every creator still struggling, to fight for safer, kinder digital spaces. Because no one should be destroyed for simply trying to do good in the world.
Need Help? You’re Not Alone
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available. Call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or dial 800-273-8255 for the network formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for support. Your life matters. Please don’t wait to reach out.
