The Yates family in an undated photo Credit – Rusty Yates

More than two decades after one of the most disturbing crimes in recent American history, the case of Andrea Yates, who drowned her five children in the family’s bathtub, is revisited in The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story. The three-part Investigation Discovery docuseries, available on HBO Max beginning Jan. 6, reexamines the story through court records and medical history, while placing particular emphasis on the belief system the Yates family subscribed to leading up to the tragedy.

The series includes the participation of Rusty Yates, Andrea’s former husband, as well as former followers of preacher Michael Woroniecki. They describe a set of teachings informed by rigid doctrine, fear, and isolation, which they claim might have intensified Andrea’s mental illness long before the crime occurred. Filmmakers attempted to reach Woroniecki, who has said that he is not to blame for Yates’ actions, and his wife Rachel Woroniecki, neither of whom responded to requests for participation.

The crime that shocked the world

On June 20, 2001, in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake, Andrea Yates drowned her five children—Noah, John, Paul, Luke, and Mary—in the family bathtub. The children ranged in age from six months to seven years. After the killings, Andrea called 911 and confessed. When police arrived, she answered the door with wet hair and clothing and calmly told officers, “I killed my kids.”

Inside the home, one child was found in the bathtub, while the others were laid out under a sheet in the master bedroom. Investigators found no signs of struggle and determined that Andrea acted alone during the short period between her husband leaving for work and the planned arrival of her mother-in-law. Andrea Yates was immediately taken into custody following the discovery.

A life defined by discipline and achievement

Andrea Yates, born Andrea Kennedy on July 2, 1964, in Houston, Texas, was the youngest of five siblings in what Rusty described as a stable household. She performed well academically, graduating as valedictorian before earning a nursing degree in 1986. She worked for several years as a registered nurse at a cancer treatment center, building a career rooted in structure and responsibility.

Andrea met Russell “Rusty” Yates in 1989. The couple married in 1993, and Andrea soon left her profession to devote herself fully to family life, motherhood, and the religious practice that had become more central to her life since meeting Rusty. Between 1994 and 2000, they had five children.

The preacher and the doctrine

Rusty Yates was a follower of Woroniecki, who regularly traveled to college campuses and large events to spread his teachings, which would profoundly shape the Yates family’s worldview. Former followers of Woroniecki who are interviewed in the docuseries and refer to themselves as “survivors” allege that Woroniecki exerted control through sermons, handwritten letters, and cassette tapes sent by mail, presenting himself as a spiritual authority.

Moses Storm, one such former follower who is featured in the docuseries, says that media coverage often overlooks a crucial element. “When I watch news coverage and documentaries about Andrea Yates, it doesn’t do it for me. They are missing a huge part of the story: Michael Woroniecki.”

In the docuseries, he describes Woroniecki as his family’s spiritual teacher and a major influence on both his family and the Yates family. “A huge part of his teachings was the impending doom of judgment day. God was going to end the world in a matter of 46 minutes right now. It was that intense.”

Storm says fear permeated daily life. “He said there would be a thunderstorm that would prompt my mom to get on her knees and pray, ‘God please save us, save our kids.’ It gave me nightmares. My older sister would have these visions and she would start hitting her body just to stop.”

Rusty Yates confirmed that he and Andrea were in regular contact with Woroniecki, who mailed cassette tapes to the couple. Storm adds, “My siblings and I, we were born into it. And unless you’re in it, you don’t fully understand the amount of control that Michael Woroniecki had over us.”

Recruitment and isolation

Another person interviewed in the docuseries, David De La Isla, describes meeting Woroniecki on his college campus, where the preacher held a large banner reading, “You’re going to hell.” Drawn in by his message of salvation, David reached out. He now calls this “the biggest mistake of my life.”

In response, Woroniecki sent letters and cassette tapes, referring to himself as an “Ambassador of Christ.” David recalled the impact of those teachings: “I was studying, evaluating Michael’s teaching. He said that every institution—college and hospital— they’re all satanic distractions. So you do everything except seek the real God. I thought the whole world was controlled by the devil.”

Storm adds that Woroniecki discouraged formal education, insisting children be homeschooled to avoid “satanic” influence. He recalled being indoctrinated at a very young age. “As early as three years old, I was out on the street yelling at people saying you’re headed for hell, even though I had no idea what I was saying.”

Mental illness and missed warnings

Andrea’s mental health began to severely deteriorate after the birth of her children. In 1999, following the birth of Luke, Rusty recalled a disturbing incident. “We were still at Andrea’s mother’s house and Andrea walked off. I open the bathroom door and she is standing, looking at herself in the mirror, with a knife up to her neck. She just stood there, catatonic.” Though Andrea didn’t harm herself in that instance, she was hospitalized and diagnosed with postpartum depression.

Andrea initially improved with treatment, but by the end of 1999, she had stopped taking her medication. Despite medical concerns, the couple had a fifth child, Mary, in November 2000.

In the months that followed, Andrea’s condition worsened. She experienced hallucinations and believed the devil was inside her. During this period, Andrea received a letter from Rachel Woroniecki, Michael’s wife, reinforcing those fears. The letter, shown in Cult Behind the Killer, read:

“I pray for you Andrea. For you, Rusty and your family. I know things are not the way you would like to be. I’ve seen many women just continually put off their salvation in Jesus. Jesus knows how weak you are, how weak and vulnerable. I know you’re frustrated, Andrea. You’re accountable for these children. You can change them. There would be a day when it’s too late. Don’t look to Rusty, look to Jesus. If you allow Satan to come in and still be understanding, the consequences will be tragic. Love and Jesus, Rachel.”

The teachings Andrea internalized

Andrea had written to Rachel in 1999 announcing Luke’s birth. The docuseries states that Rachel’s response echoed teachings later found in Michael Woroniecki’s publication “Perilous Times,” which claimed that “unrighteous mothers” produced “unrighteous children” who would burn in hell unless they died.

In the documentary, De La Isla says that “Rusty came across the survivors’ website” about Michael Woroniecki, which was active at the time. According to De La Isla, Rusty later sent him the cassette tapes that Woroniecki had previously sent to Andrea Yates. De La Isla says Andrea listened to the recordings repeatedly, including on the morning of the tragedy. The recording, played in the doc, states: “If you want to submit to His Kingdom, then you must conform. You must go with His program. You must yield. You can’t just do your own little thing or you will pay consequences.”

Yates’ trials

Andrea Yates was charged with five counts of capital murder and went to trial in 2002. Prosecutors argued that, despite her documented mental illness, she understood that her actions were legally wrong. As part of that argument, they emphasized that Andrea waited until she was alone with the children before committing the killings and then contacted authorities afterward, which they claimed demonstrated awareness and intent.

The defense maintained that Andrea was not guilty by reason of insanity, presenting extensive medical records and psychiatric testimony documenting severe postpartum psychosis. According to the defense, Andrea was suffering from persistent delusions and believed that killing her children was the only way to save them from eternal damnation.

Rusty Yates supported the defense throughout the trial, repeatedly stating that Andrea’s actions were the result of untreated mental illness rather than criminal intent. Despite the evidence presented, the jury rejected the insanity defense. Andrea Yates was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, with eligibility for parole after 40 years.

In 2005, Yates’ conviction was overturned by the Texas Court of Appeals. The reversal centered on false testimony given by prosecution expert Dr. Park Dietz, who claimed during the trial that an episode of Law & Order had aired depicting a woman who drowned her children and was found not guilty by reason of insanity. The prosecution used this claim to suggest Andrea may have fabricated her defense after watching the episode.

It was later confirmed that no such episode existed, and Dietz chalked the error up to his own incorrect recollection. The appellate court ruled that the inaccurate testimony was materially misleading and could have influenced the jury’s decision, violating Andrea Yates’ right to a fair trial.

Michael Woroniecki’s connection to Yates and current work

During Andrea Yates’ trial, some of Michael Woroniecki’s materials were introduced as evidence. Prosecutors suggested that his religious messaging may have influenced Yates’ mental state, but no legal responsibility was assigned to him in connection with the deaths of Andrea Yates’ five children, nor was his religious group formally classified as a cult. While the documentary and media coverage describe his teachings as “cult-like,” this reflects interpretation rather than a legal finding.

Woroniecki has said that he did not influence Andrea Yates’ actions. In an interview with ABC News in 2002, he stated that he “shared Jesus with them” and warned Rusty Yates repeatedly about the children’s spiritual needs. He added, “Everybody is going to hell,” clarifying that his message about Satan and hell was intended as religious guidance, not to push anyone toward harmful behavior. He described claims that his preaching caused the tragedy as “ridiculous.” Woroniecki continues to travel and preach, maintaining his ministry across the United States.

Where is Andrea Yates now?

Andrea was retried in 2006. While the arguments from both sides remained largely the same, the second jury reached a different conclusion. On July 26, 2006, Andrea Yates was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Under Texas law, the verdict resulted in her commitment to a state psychiatric hospital rather than release.

She was initially placed in a high-security psychiatric facility and later transferred to the Kerrville State Hospital, a maximum-security psychiatric center, where she remains. Andrea is eligible for periodic reviews regarding her confinement but has consistently declined to seek release, choosing to remain under psychiatric care.

Contact us at letters@time.com.