Andrea Yates shocked people around the world when it was revealed that she drowned her five children in a bathtub in June 2001. More than two decades later, the reasoning behind the crime will be explored in the latest Investigation Discovery docuseries. The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story.
Us Weekly breaks down everything you need to know about the new true crime docuseries, including what it’s about, when it premieres and more about the tragic case.
Who is Andrea Yates?
After Yates drowned her children, she was found to be suffering from postpartum depression and psychosis. Although information about her mental illness informed the public about how Yates could have killed her children, it was later revealed that she was heavily influenced by the rogue preacher’s extreme teachings. Michael Woroniecki.
Woroniecki and his followers have never publicly identified themselves as a cult, although his group has been described as a cult influence in the media.
From the Sherri Papini kidnapping hoax to the two separate documentaries about Scott Peterson’s murder conviction, it’s safe to say that most streaming services are investing in true crime in 2024. Netflix and Hulu tend to corner the genre by focusing on the latest and most surprising cases. It was Investigation Discovery, however, that (…)
Yates was convicted of capital murder in 2002 and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years, he said. History.com. However, the verdict was overturned on appeal due to false testimony by forensic psychiatrist Park Dietz.
The case was retried in July 2006, where a Texas jury found Yates not guilty by reason of insanity, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
What is “The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story” about?
In The cult behind the killerthe film team will peel back the layers of Yates’ case and expose the sinister influence the alleged cult had on her. It has been speculated that the influence of the group was so powerful that they could potentially have led to the killing of their children.
“This is one of the most high-profile cases of the last 25 years, but a critical part of the story has gone grossly underreported. Andrea Yates was not the only person influenced by this group, and this raises an urgent question: What other families might still be at risk? At ID, we are committed to uncovering the deeper story behind Andrea’s headlines and what shaped Andrea’s mind. By telling the full story of the Yates tragedy,” President of ID Jason Sarlanis said in a statement about the project.
The The cult behind the killer will include interviews with people closely connected to the case, including Andrea’s ex-husband, Rusty Yatesand cult survivor David De La Isla. Also, Woroniecki’s own nephew and fellow survivor, Storm of Moseswill also be interviewed for the project.
Freeform’s newest true-crime series spotlights the survivors of today’s cults. Us Weekly can exclusively reveal that How I Escaped My Cult will premiere on Thursday, February 20 on Freeform, and the entire 10-part season will be available on Friday, February 21 on Hulu. According to the official trailer, the series focuses on a different cult (…)
Throughout the docuseries, viewers will learn more about Woroniecki and his teachings, as well as his connection to Yates. Additionally, the project will shed light on how Woroniecki’s tactics and teachings dramatically altered the lives of his followers.
When is ‘The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story’ coming out?
The The cult behind the killer premieres Tuesday, January 6th from 8-11pm ET on Investigation Discovery. Those who miss live episodes can stream them on HBO Max.