A Florida therapist was stabbed to demise after an enraged former affected person pressured his manner into her workplace throughout a night session, authorities stated. Rebecca White, 44, was attacked late Monday at her Orange County observe when Michael Smith, 39, arrived unannounced, demanding to talk together with her, WESH reported.In line with investigators, White requested Smith to depart and known as 911. Moments later, Smith allegedly stabbed White after which attacked one other affected person who tried to intervene. White was rushed to a close-by hospital, the place she later died from her accidents. The opposite sufferer, a person in his 30s, underwent surgical procedure and was listed in crucial situation however is anticipated to get well.Smith fled the scene and was discovered useless by suicide a number of hours later. Authorities haven’t launched particulars about how he died or what prompted the assault.White, a Licensed Psychological Well being Counselor, had labored within the subject since 2008 and based her Orlando-based observe, All the way down to Earth Remedy Options, in 2022. She beforehand served as a household therapist and as a behavioural well being guide for the Florida Division of Kids and Households. On her web site, White described her strategy as compassionate and judgment-free, centered on serving to purchasers transfer past survival towards thriving.White’s fellow therapists additionally expressed grief over her demise. Taking to X, one wrote, “Heartbroken over the tragic stabbing demise of 44-year-old therapist Rebecca White, just a few blocks from my workplace, on Jan. 19 by a former consumer.” The put up added that White “was compassionately serving to somebody in ache when violence struck,” and famous that one other consumer was additionally severely injured within the assault.In an announcement launched to FOX 35, White’s household questioned constructing entry and safety measures on the workplace, elevating considerations about how a person was in a position to enter the premises after hours. “We’re heartbroken, indignant, and looking for solutions,” the household stated, calling the loss “irreplaceable” and probably preventable.Florida data present Smith was a registered intercourse offender with a prolonged legal historical past. He had beforehand served 22 years in jail following convictions in 2003 for kidnapping, housebreaking, and two counts of sexual battery stemming from a violent dwelling invasion in West Palm Seashore. Authorities confirmed that DNA proof linked Smith to that earlier crime. The investigation into the deadly assault stays ongoing.
