Therapist Rebecca White, 44, Passes Away after Interaction with Her Former Client

A deadly confrontation at a Florida building leaves a respected counselor dead and a second individual fighting for his life after a brutal attack tied to a troubled past.

Rebecca White, a licensed therapist, was killed on January 19, 2026, when a former client stormed into her Orlando office and launched a brutal attack.

Another person was critically injured trying to defend her from the assailant, a man with a violent criminal history that should have raised red flags long before that night.

A Night of Therapy Turns into a Scene of Terror

It was around 9 p.m. that Monday when White, 44, was wrapping up a session with a patient at her practice, Down to Earth Therapy Solutions, located on Lee Road in Orlando. What should have been a quiet end to her day quickly descended into horror.

Michael Smith, 39, a former patient, suddenly burst into the office, demanding to see her. According to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, White told him to leave and immediately called 911.

That call may have sealed her fate. Smith erupted in fury, pulling out a knife and attacking both White and her client, a man in his 30s whose name has not been released.

In a GoFundMe started by the man's mother, Kristi Ogaz, it was revealed that her son took ten stab wounds while trying to protect White. He was then shoved down a flight of stairs, which gave Smith enough time to kill White before presumably fleeing the scene. He was found just hours later.

When emergency responders arrived to the building, White was discovered with what officials described as "significant injuries." She was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.

The man who fought to save her was also hospitalized and is expected to recover physically, though the emotional scars may run far deeper.

Known for Facing Darkness Without Fear

White had built a reputation as a therapist who never turned away from difficult cases. Her work often brought her face to face with individuals most others refused to treat, and she did it all without judgment.

Her website described her approach in her own words:

"I'm here to listen without judging. I help you feel seen and heard. I help you find the words without demeaning and help you learn how to surround yourself with people you vibe with and get you. People that bring out the best in you while you enjoy life. If you're ready to get to work let's work together."

The sheriff's office confirmed that Smith had previously been her client. Cherlette McCullough, a colleague, revealed that White often treated sex offenders.

"It was a niche she specialized in," she told FOX 35. "Just today, I got a few calls from people saying how good she was working with offenders around change."

To the wider community, she was known as a tireless professional and a generous soul. White earned a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology from the University of Illinois and a Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School.

She also had a deep love for animals, especially dogs. In her memory, friends are now planning a donation drive for a local animal shelter.

Neighbors were stunned by the news. Nancy Magenheimer, who lived nearby, said she knew White worked with "troubled people" but never imagined something like this could happen.

A Killer with a History of Violence and Warning Signs

Authorities confirmed that Smith was found dead by 8 a.m. the next morning, January 20, near the 9000 block of Windy Ridge Road. His death has been ruled a suicide.

But the tragedy did not begin that night. Smith was a registered sex offender with a past that was both violent and terrifying.

In 2003, he was convicted in West Palm Beach for kidnapping, burglary, and two counts of sexual battery after assaulting a woman in her own home. After the attack, she managed to escape to a neighbor's house and call for help. The assailant served 19 years in prison.

Upon his release in 2022, Smith was placed on parole with strict conditions. He was required to undergo both psychological and psychiatric treatment designed for violent sex offenders and individuals with antisocial disorders. In October 2025, he relocated to Orlando.

In a statement to FOX 35, White's family expressed deep frustration over what they see as a failure of security protocols and basic protection, especially considering the incident happened at night.

The family believes this disaster highlights deep-seated flaws in the system that allowed an avoidable situation to happen. Currently, they are struggling with a devastating loss that nothing can replace. Yet, while the family feels deep sadness and anger as they hunt for the truth, their primary focus remains on grieving for White.

A Survivor Left with Scars and a Long Road Ahead

The client who tried to save White is now recovering in the hospital, but his injuries are serious, and his future remains uncertain.

"My son will now have a scar on his mouth and other areas of his body, along with possible nerve damage from being stabbed in his hand. He is pretty new at his job and will probably not be able to go back to work right away and is currently in the hospital," his mother wrote on the fundraiser page.

She also shared that her son feels he should have done more to protect his therapist, a weight that may slow his emotional healing even as his body mends. As of publication, the fundraiser was nearing its $10,000 goal.

We offer our condolences to White's family and loved ones as they deal with this tragedy.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.