A Florida therapist was stabbed to death by an enraged former patient who stormed into her office while she was in the middle of a session — and then later killed himself.
Rebecca White, 44, was fatally knifed when the ex-patient, Michael Smith, 39, barreled into her medical office in Orange County late Monday demanding to speak with her, WESH reported.
Smith, whose criminal history involves prior raps for a sex offense and kidnapping, stabbed the therapist and then attacked her other patient as they tried to help.
The therapist, who was a well-known mental health counselor in the area, was rushed to a nearby hospital where she later died from her injuries.
The other victim, only identified as a man in his 30s, remained in a critical condition after undergoing surgery for his stab wounds.
It wasn’t immediately clear what set Smith off or why he was asking to see his former therapist.
He fled the scene after his stabbing frenzy and was found dead by suicide several hours later. Authorities haven’t disclosed how Smith killed himself.
White had worked as a therapist since 2008 and founded her own practice, Down to Earth Therapy Solutions, in 2022.
She previously worked as a family therapist and as a behavioral health consultant for the Florida Department of Children and Families, according to her LinkedIn.
“I have a depth of knowledge about mental health issues and combine that with a compassionate approach to help you navigate a path worth walking,” White’s bio page on her website reads.
“I create a judgment-free environment and guide clients towards taking positive actions that are essential to creating a new reality. I focus on exploring and understanding one’s thoughts and emotions to enhance confidence and empower individuals to move beyond survival and towards thriving in your daily life.”
