JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Story Behind HBO Max's Andrea Yates Documentary The Cult Behind the Killer.

  • Published In: Time.com, 2026. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Wandermurem, Isabella 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the 2024 docuseries *The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story*, which revisits the 2001 case of Andrea Yates, a Texas mother who drowned her five children. The series examines Yates' mental illness and the influence of preacher Michael Woroniecki's strict religious teachings on her family, highlighting claims from former followers that his doctrine fostered fear and isolation. It details Yates' deteriorating mental health, her trials—including a 2006 verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity—and her current confinement in a Texas psychiatric hospital. The docuseries includes interviews with Yates' former husband and others affected by Woroniecki's teachings, while noting that Woroniecki denies responsibility for the tragedy.

Additional Information

  • Source:Time.com. 2026/01, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Biography
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:2476-2679
  • Accession Number:190771198
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