Overwatch fans have paid tribute to YouTuber Mikayla Raines following her death earlier this week.
The 29-year-old was best known running wildlife rescue sanctuary Save A Fox. On Monday (June 23) Raines’ husband Ethan confirmed that she had taken her own life and blamed an “online bullying campaign” for her death.
Raines launched the Save A Fox non-profit in 2017 and documented her efforts on social media, with her YouTube channel followed by more than 2.4million subscribers.
“From a young age, she dedicated every waking hour of her life to helping animals, whether it was helping a snapping turtle cross the road or saving 500 foxes from a terrible fur farm,” said Ethan in an emotional video. “She was never in it for fame, money or personal gain. She was truly one of the most selfless people I have ever known.”
She did so much to save multiple foxes and other animals, the video of her husband explaining what happened broke my heart. Save a fox is still operating by her husband and continues the dream of saving 500 foxes form a fur farm, if you can please consider donating 💜 https://t.co/V7dNEevoO7
— Nyx 🔜 Yume Mayo 17 y 18 (@itsNyxCat) June 24, 2025
Following the tragic news, Overwatch fans have been paying tribute to Mikayla Raines. In 2024, it was confirmed that developers Blizzard had taken a sound crew to her animal sanctuary and used the recordings for Overwatch 2’s Kiriko fox spirit. “They even left us a generous donation to help us out,” explained a post on social media.
“Kiriko has been an iconic part of Overwatch 2 and these fox videos helped me pass the days of lockdown. So sad that this happened,” one fan wrote on Reddit. “What a fucking tragedy. You could hear in her voice how much she cared about those animals. This world is a fucked up place,” said another.
“She will be missed so very deeply, just an incredibly kind soul who wanted to do good in this world. I wish her family nothing but the best during their time of grief, and that they know just how loved she was and is for her work,” added another fan.
Ethan has pledged that he will continue running the Save A Fox rescue centre and work towards Mikayla’s goal of saving 500 foxes from a massive fur farm. You can find out more about their work and donate here.
For help and advice on mental health:
- ‘Am I depressed?‘ – Help and advice on mental health and what to do next
- Help Musicians UK – Around the clock mental health support and advice for musicians
- Music Support Org – Help and support for musicians struggling with alcoholism, addiction, or mental health issues
- YOUNG MINDS – The voice for young people’s health and wellbeing
- CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably for young men
- Time To Change – Let’s end mental health discrimination
- The Samaritans – Confidential support 24 hours a day
English (US) · 