Therapist Rebecca White Stabbed to Death by Former Client in Orlando Office Attack

The Former Client Had a History of Violence

ORLANDO, Fla. — A licensed mental health counselor was fatally stabbed inside her private practice office by a former client who then fled the scene and died by suicide, leaving a grieving family searching for answers about how such a violent attack could occur in what should have been a safe, therapeutic space.

Rebecca White, 44, was killed on the evening of January 19, 2026, at Down to Earth Therapy Solutions, her private practice located in Orlando, Florida. The attack occurred around 9 p.m., moments after White had concluded a session with another client, a man in his 30s who also became a victim in the violent assault.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, 39-year-old Michael Smith arrived at White’s office building and demanded to see her. When he gained access to the office, Smith began repeatedly stabbing both White and her client. Despite his injuries, the client managed to call 911, allowing emergency services to respond to the scene.

Both victims were transported to a local hospital, where White succumbed to her injuries. The male client survived the attack and is expected to recover, though his mother revealed on a GoFundMe campaign that he sustained significant injuries including facial scarring and possible nerve damage from a stab wound to his hand.

Smith fled the scene immediately following the attack. His body was discovered approximately 14 miles away from White’s office at around 8 a.m. the following morning. Investigators believe he died by suicide, though specific details about the method or circumstances have not been released.

A Troubling History

Court records obtained by FOX 35 Orlando revealed disturbing details about Smith’s criminal background. He was a registered sex offender who had been released from prison in 2022. As a condition of his parole, Smith was required to undergo “psychological or psychiatric evaluation geared towards someone who has committed a violent and vicious sexual battery and who has a violent anti-social personality disorder.”

The records raise questions about whether White had been Smith’s court-ordered therapist or if their professional relationship stemmed from other circumstances. Authorities have not yet disclosed what motivated Smith to confront White or the nature of their therapeutic relationship prior to the attack.

Questions of Security and Safety

In the wake of White’s death, her family has raised serious concerns about the security measures—or lack thereof—at the office building where she worked.

“We are struggling to understand how this could have happened,” the family told FOX 35 in a statement. “There are serious and troubling questions surrounding building access, security measures, surveillance, and how an individual was able to enter the premises during those hours.”

Their statement highlights what they describe as potential “systematic failures” that may have contributed to the tragedy. “This tragedy raises concerns about systematic failures that may have contributed to a situation that should never have occurred and, in our view, could have been prevented.”

The family’s grief is compounded by frustration and anger over circumstances they believe allowed a violent individual to access their loved one during evening hours when security might have been reduced.

A Life Dedicated to Helping Others

White had established Down to Earth Therapy Solutions as a licensed mental health counselor, dedicating her career to supporting individuals through their mental health challenges. Her professional website outlined her commitment to providing therapeutic services to those in need—a mission that ultimately placed her in contact with a dangerous individual.

The case underscores the risks faced by mental health professionals, particularly those in private practice who may work evening hours and maintain offices in buildings without robust security protocols. While therapeutic relationships are built on trust and confidentiality, they can occasionally become targets for violence when clients experience severe mental health crises or harbor violent tendencies.

Ongoing Investigation

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, though with both the perpetrator and primary victim deceased, many questions may remain unanswered. Investigators are working to establish a clearer timeline of Smith’s activities on the evening of January 19 and to understand what triggered his violent outburst.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by mental health professionals and the critical importance of security measures in therapeutic settings. As White’s family mourns their “irreplaceable loss,” they have vowed to seek answers about the systemic failures they believe contributed to her death.

For those struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, or thoughts of violence, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988, or chatting at 988lifeline.org.