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‘It’s horrific:’ Mental health counselor killed, man critically injured in office stabbing
Michael Smith, 39, attacked licensed counselor Rebecca White and another man before dying by suicide; the injured man is expected to recover, authorities said.
- On Monday around 9 p.m., Rebecca White, licensed mental health counselor, 44, was fatally stabbed at her office off Lee Road, Winter Park, during a session, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.
- During a session, another man demanded to speak with White and was told to leave, then the intruder attacked after a male client said he would call 911, investigators said.
- Authorities say Smith was found dead from an apparent suicide the next morning, deputies said, after the attack on January 21, 2026.
- As the community mourns, White's professional background shows she ran Down to Earth Therapy Solutions, founded in 2022, and clients say the loss has devastated the local therapy community.
- Officials say no motive has been released and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is investigating; the male client in his 30s was critically injured, taken to surgery, and is expected to recover.
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The Morning SunReposted by 
News-Herald
News-HeraldFlorida therapist fatally stabbed at office by former patient, deputies say
An Orange County therapist was stabbed to death at her office Monday by a former patient later found dead in an apparent suicide, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded around 9 p.m. to the office of mental health counselor Rebecca White, 44, on the 900 block of Lee Road, just west of Winter Park, where they found White and another man suffering from stab wounds. White and the man were taken to a hospital, where Whit…
After being stabbed by a former patient, a psychologist working in Orlando, Florida, succumbed to his wounds. The attacker subsequently ended his life.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources39
Leaning Left4Leaning Right4Center26Last UpdatedBias Distribution76% Center
Bias Distribution
- 76% of the sources are Center
76% Center
12%
C 76%
12%
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