A licensed mental health counselor was stabbed to death inside her workplace in Orlando late last night in what investigators have described as a targeted attack. The victim, Rebecca White, 44, was attacked inside an office building on Lee Road in Orange County after a former patient arrived and attempted to see her. According to authorities, when White refused the meeting, the suspect forced his way into the office and produced a knife, stabbing her multiple times. Despite emergency response, she was pronounced dead from her injuries.
Investigators say a male client was inside the office at the time of the attack and attempted to intervene while also calling 911. During the struggle, the client was stabbed as well and was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery and is expected to survive. Officials credited the client’s actions with alerting authorities quickly, though the violence escalated before help could arrive.
The suspect was later identified as Michael Smith, 39, a former patient of the victim. Authorities say Smith fled the scene following the assault. A search was launched overnight, and his body was discovered early this morning in a wooded area near Windy Ridge Road. Investigators believe Smith died by suicide, though the medical examiner will make the final determination. No additional suspects are believed to be involved at this time.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that the attack appears to have been targeted rather than random, based on the suspect’s relationship with the victim and the sequence of events leading up to the stabbing. The motive has not yet been publicly confirmed, and investigators are working to establish a full timeline, including how the suspect gained access to the office and whether there were prior warning signs. Authorities have not released details regarding any previous interactions between White and Smith beyond confirming that he was a former patient.
The killing has sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly among mental health professionals who say the incident highlights the risks faced by counselors and therapists who work in private practice settings. Colleagues described Rebecca White as a dedicated professional who was committed to helping others, while law enforcement officials expressed condolences to her family and loved ones.
Officials say the office building on Lee Road remains part of an active investigation, and additional details will be released as they become available. Authorities have asked the public to avoid speculation as the case remains under review. Counseling resources have been made available for those affected by the incident, including coworkers and clients who may be experiencing trauma.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue to review surveillance footage, interview witnesses, and coordinate with the medical examiner’s office to confirm the exact cause of the suspect’s death. For now, authorities say the evidence points to a tragic and deliberate act of violence that ended with two lives lost and another seriously injured.
