WINTER PARK, FL – A former client showed up at a mental health facility Monday night demanding to speak with his old counselor, and when she refused, he pulled out a knife and attacked her in front of another patient.
Rebecca White, 44, died from her injuries after the brutal stabbing at the Orange County facility. The other client present during the attack remains in critical condition following emergency surgery but is expected to survive.
The attacker, Michael Smith, 39, was found dead Tuesday morning from what appeared to be a self-inflicted wound, according to investigators. Deputies discovered his body around 8 a.m.
White was in the middle of a counseling session when Smith barged in and demanded her attention. She told him no. That’s when the other client started dialing 911, and Smith snapped.
Police arrived at the facility on Lee Road shortly after 9 p.m. to find a scene of chaos. White had sustained what officers described as “significant injuries” and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her wounds.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, though investigators believe Smith’s history with the facility may have played a role. What specifically set him off that night is still being determined.
Mental health workers across the country face increasing risks on the job, and this case highlights the dangers counselors encounter when dealing with troubled former clients who may return unexpectedly.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has classified the case as a murder-suicide. No additional suspects are being sought.
White’s colleagues and patients are left mourning a woman who dedicated her career to helping others through their darkest moments.
