The cause of death for the well-known YouTube star and animal rights activist Mikayla Raines has been determined.
The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the 29-year-old, who garnered a devoted following on social media through her animal rescue work, was found by her husband, Ethan Frankump.
Authorities reported that Raines was discovered hanging in the barn at her home in Faribault, Minnesota, on June 20th, according to a report.
Her husband shared the news of her passing on Instagram on June 22nd, expressing his grief and stating that she “couldn’t stand what she was feeling anymore.”
He labeled her death as “the greatest loss of my life.”
Frankump mentioned that Mikayla, who had over 2.45 million subscribers on YouTube, was subjected to a campaign of online bullying by individuals she knew, including some who had worked at other animal sanctuaries.
He reflected that it felt as if “the whole world was against her,” which deeply affected her.
While waiting for paramedics, Frankump attempted CPR on Mikayla for 15 minutes after finding her unresponsive.
He noted that their young daughter, Freia, is struggling with the loss of her mother.
“I have to find you to all of you who pushed her, to everyone responsible for making her feel this way; I wish you could have watched me perform CPR for 15 minutes until help arrived,” Frankump said.
He expressed how their family is enduring an unimaginable loss, emphasizing how inspiring Mikayla was, and how her absence leaves everything feeling hollow.
Frankump mentioned that Mikayla, who was on the autism spectrum, faced challenges, but it also helped her focus on her passion.
In the wake of her death, he pledged to do everything possible to keep the rescue center she established alive.
If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, resources are available for support.
