WINTER PARK, Fla. — A mental health professional in Winter Park was stabbed to death by a former client, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. 

What You Need To Know

Rebecca White was a licensed mental health counselor and was in a a session with another client when officials say they were both stabbed

It all happened around 9 p.m. on Monday at White’s office in a building off of Lee Road in Winter Park

Tuesday morning, Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies found the suspect, Micheal Smith, dead from apparent suicide

Officials have not released a motive

Rebecca White was a licensed mental health counselor and was in a session with another client when officials say they were both stabbed. Then, the suspect later died from an apparent suicide.

It happened around 9 p.m. on Monday at White’s office in a building off of Lee Road in Winter Park.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said White had a therapy session and while that client was in her office, another man, Michael Smith came in and demanded to speak with White. She told him to leave, and the client said he would call 911. That is when Smith pulled out a knife and attacked them both, according to investigators.

White died from her injuries but the other man is expected to survive. People who work nearby are shocked to hear the tragedy that took place and they plan to rethink their own building security. 

“We are constantly, I am doing everything I can to make sure our team is safe, leaving at appropriate times or if we have a late event for whatever reason, we are leaving in teams together,” said Patrick Webb, who works next door.

According to her LinkedIn profile, White started her business Down to Earth Therapy Solutions in 2022, but she was a licensed mental health counselor for 20 years according to her page on Therapyden. Her website says that she did individual and couples therapy her at her office off Lee Road.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office found the suspect, Micheal Smith dead from an apparent suicide on Tuesday morning. At this time, officials have not released a motive.