ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WFTV) – Authorities in Florida say a well-known therapist was murdered by her former client. The suspect committed suicide in the days following the attack.
Rebecca White, 44, was a licensed mental health counselor in Orlando. Deputies say she was having a session with a patient at 9 p.m. Monday.
As the session ended, investigators say White’s former client, 39-year-old Michael Smith, came into the office and demanded to speak to her, but when she told him to leave, he allegedly stabbed her and the patient as he was calling 911.
Deputies say White died, and her patient is in critical condition at the hospital.
“This has been devastating for our community as therapists and for me personally. Rebecca was an excellent therapist,” said Cherlotte McCullough, White’s friend and former office mate.
Deputies say Smith killed himself around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday. He had a criminal history in Palm Beach County that included a sex offense and kidnapping, according to records.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story contains discussion about suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available by calling 988.
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