Friends mourn homicide victim, call beloved Estero doctor an inspiration

ESTERO, Fla.- Friends of beloved Lee County Dr. Teresa Sievers are stunned over her death.

Sievers operated the Restorative Health and Healing Center in Estero.

Friends say she was nice to everyone, and would give the clothes off her back to help someone in need.

“Very hard to imagine anyone would take anyone’s life, and in this case, someone took someone else’s life that meant so much to so many other people.”

Colleague Jo Vaccarino still can’t believe that her friend is gone.

“We should all be really grateful that we had the opportunity to know her,” said Vaccarino.

Deputies say Sievers was murdered in her Bonita Springs home early Monday morning.

Vaccarino moved her practice to Florida from Ohio, and says Sievers was the first to welcome her, even allowing her to see patients in his office.

“Just such a warm hearted individual. From the very beginning, from the moment I met her, just felt she was really in it to help people,” said Vaccarino.

Her need to help others was also evident to Michelle Morton, a former co-worker of Sievers.

The two worked together at Our Mother’s Home, a safe haven for teen moms.

“Wonderful example of a woman of God and community. She was a leader,” said Morton.

Morton says Sievers, was an inspiration to her.

Seivers had two young girls, and a loving husband, according to friends.

“She had a beautiful family. I really grieve for them. They are going to miss their mom. Mark is going to miss his wife,” said Vaccarino.

At her office inside the Estero Medical Center, a sign on the door says the practice is at a standstill, while family and staff mourn her loss.

“She was a great person. I’m really going to miss her. I don’t think we are going to get over this. Never going to stop missing her,” said Vaccarino.

The sign on the office door, also says the staff is working to find alternative doctors for all of their patients. It’s signed by family and staff, who are asking for prayers and donations at this time.