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 Investigation Discovery’s latest 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, it was discovered that she was suffering from postpartum depression and psychosis. While the information about her mental illness informed the public on how Yates could have killed her children, it was later revealed that she was heavily influenced by the extreme teachings of rogue preacher Michael Woroniecki.
Woroniecki and his followers have never publicly identified themselves as a cult, though his group has been described as having a cult-like influence throughout the media.
Yates was convicted of capital murder in 2002, and she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after forty years, according to History.com. However, the verdict was overturned on appeal due to a false testimony by forensic psychiatrist Park Dietz.
The case was retried in July 2006, where a Texas jury found that Yates was not guilty by reason of insanity, per the Death Penalty Information Center.
What Is ‘The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story’ About?
In The Cult Behind the Killer, the film team will peel back the layers of Yates’ case and expose the sinister influence that the alleged cult had on her. It’s been speculated that the group’s influence was so powerful that they potentially could have led to her killing her children.
“This is one of the most notorious cases of the last 25 years, yet a critical part of the story has gone largely underreported. Andrea Yates wasn’t the only person influenced by this group, and that raises an urgent question: what other families could still be at risk? At ID, we’re committed to uncovering the deeper story behind the headlines, and exploring this element that shaped Andrea’s life and mindset felt essential in telling the full story of the Yates tragedy,” President of ID Jason Sarlanis said in a statement about the project.
The Cult Behind the Killer will feature interviews with those closely connected to the case, including Andrea’s ex-husband, Rusty Yates, and cult survivor David De La Isla. Additionally, Woroniecki’s own nephew and fellow survivor, Moses Storm, will also be interviewed for the project.
Throughout the docuseries, viewers will learn more insight 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 drastically altered the lives of his followers.
When Does ‘The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story’ Premiere?
The Cult Behind the Killer will premiere on Tuesday, January 6, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery. Those who miss the episodes in real time will be able to stream them on HBO Max.
US Weekly
This story was originally published January 1, 2026 at 10:32 AM.
