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Docuseries Explores Andrea Yates' Tragic Case and Cult Influence

1/7/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The HBO Max docuseries The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story revisits the 2001 case of Andrea Yates.
It examines the influence of preacher Michael Woroniecki and whether his teachings worsened Yates' mental illness.
Yates suffered from severe postpartum depression and believed she was saving her children from hell.
She was found not guilty by reason of insanity and has been confined to a psychiatric hospital since 2007.

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Story summary

The HBO Max docuseries The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story revisits the 2001 case of Andrea Yates.
It examines the influence of preacher Michael Woroniecki and whether his teachings worsened Yates' mental illness.
Yates suffered from severe postpartum depression and believed she was saving her children from hell.
She was found not guilty by reason of insanity and has been confined to a psychiatric hospital since 2007.