Overwatch 2 community pays tribute to Mikayla Raines following her tragic passing
- Sagar Mankar
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
The gaming and animal rescue communities are mourning the loss of Mikayla Raines, founder of the SaveAFox rescue sanctuary, who tragically took her own life in June 2025.
Mikayla’s husband, Ethan Raines, confirmed the heartbreaking news in an emotional video uploaded to the SaveAFox YouTube channel on June 23 (reported by Dexerto). In the 11-minute statement, Ethan shared how Mikayla had been deeply affected by ongoing online harassment — both from individuals in her personal life and from other sanctuaries. Despite years of pushing through emotional pain and mental health struggles, she ultimately couldn’t carry the weight any longer.
Ethan explained that Mikayla had been dealing with autism, depression, and borderline personality disorder for years. She tried numerous medications and therapies but continued to face daily challenges. “Even simple tasks were hard for her,” he said, adding that socializing could sometimes push her over the edge.
At just 20 years old, Mikayla launched SaveAFox in 2017, a nonprofit animal rescue based in Lakeville, Minnesota. The organization specializes in rescuing foxes from fur farms, providing them with a safe haven and, when possible, finding them permanent homes. Since its inception, SaveAFox has rescued over 150 foxes, becoming a beloved name among animal lovers online.
Following her passing, the Overwatch 2 community in particular felt a powerful connection to Mikayla’s legacy. In a resurfaced Facebook post from earlier this year, SaveAFox revealed that Blizzard had recorded the vocalizations of their rescued foxes to use for Kiriko’s fox spirit in Overwatch 2. “Blizzard brought out a sound crew, set up microphones, and recorded the foxes here all night long,” the post stated. “They were even nice enough to make a generous donation to help us out.”
This revelation struck a chord with Overwatch fans, many of whom were unaware of the real-world inspiration behind the in-game fox companion. Messages of support and sorrow quickly flooded social media, with some players calling on Blizzard to honor Mikayla in-game through a memorial charm, skin, or even a monument on a Kiriko-specific map.
One fan commented, “I never knew the Kitsune was voiced by real foxes, let alone by those rescued by Mikayla. That makes her legacy even more special.” Another wrote, “Blizzard should create something permanent in the game to celebrate her contribution. She deserves that.”
As of now, Blizzard has not publicly responded to the news or confirmed any plans for an in-game tribute. However, the calls for a meaningful gesture continue to grow louder within the community.
Ethan has vowed to carry on her mission, continuing the work Mikayla started and ensuring that the animals she loved so dearly remain cared for. SaveAFox now operates both in Minnesota and Florida, and its YouTube channel has amassed over 2.5 million subscribers since launching in 2009.
NOTICE: For anyone struggling with mental health issues, support is available. In the U.S., you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. In the UK, reach out to Samaritans at 116 123. A full list of international hotlines is available online.
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