Following the dying of her daughter at simply 29, Mikayla Raines’ mom has spoken publicly for the primary time.

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Sandi Raines spoke to Us Weekly in an emotional interview, sharing not simply who Mikayla was behind the display screen, but in addition what she believes contributed to her daughter’s dying.

This interview comes simply days after Mikayla’s husband, Ethan Frankamp, introduced her passing by a YouTube video posted to the SaveAFox channel.

“She just adored animals”

According to her mother, Mikayla’s connection to animals began early. Sandi stated she remembers her daughter calmly approaching a wild deer as a baby, and in some way, the deer didn’t run.

“I just knew from then,” Sandi stated, recalling how Mikayla would discuss to animals like they understood her.

As she received older, that love solely grew. Mikayla created SaveAFox, a Minnesota rescue that gave lots of of animals a second probability. Her YouTube channel drew thousands and thousands of views, and followers around the globe tuned in to observe the every day lives of rescued animals like Dixie and Finnegan.

But based on her mom, the web consideration wasn’t what Mikayla needed.

“She never cared about the fame,” Sandi stated. “She just wanted to save animals.”

Battling psychological well being and on-line cruelty

Mikayla’s household has additionally opened up about her psychological well being. She had been recognized with despair, nervousness, and autism, and had handled these challenges for many of her life.

But Sandi stated the true turning level got here 4 years in the past, when a wave of on-line harassment started, saying that it “broke her,” and “put her over the edge.”

Mikayla leaves behind her husband, their daughter Freya, and the various animals whose lives she modified. 

Her husband, Ethan, has pledged to proceed Mikayla’s mission and hold the fox rescue sanctuary going—one thing her mom, Sandi, additionally confirmed.

People are grieving all around the web

Under the video Ethan posted, followers shared their heartbreak.

“A child lost their mother, a man lost his wife, and dozens of animals lost their best friend,” one remark learn. “The people who harassed her should be charged.”

Another viewer wrote, “Mikayla inspired me to become a wildlife rescuer and carer in Australia. Her life impacted so many people.”

On Reddit, followers remembered how a lot her movies meant throughout laborious instances.

“This is absolutely heartbreaking,” one person stated. “I discovered SaveAFox during the pandemic, and watching Mikayla’s interactions with all those crazy foxes helped me get through lockdown. RIP.”

Some couldn’t perceive how she turned a goal in any respect.

“PEOPLE WOULD BULLY SOMEONE LIKE HER?!?” one person requested. “WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?”

“The internet sucks at times,” one other wrote. “You have people hiding behind anonymity, tearing down kind people instead of building community.”

And underneath a submit by Change.org, one person summed it up, saying, “She saved so many lives… only for the world to encourage her not to save her own,” they wrote. 

Fans of Mikayla can be a part of a celebration of life placed on by her husband, Ethan, and the SaveAFox rescue on July 12, 2025.

For extra details about suicide prevention or to talk with somebody confidentially, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) or Samaritans (U.Okay.).

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