A new three-part Investigation Discovery docuseries examines how preacher Michael Woroniecki’s teachings may have influenced Andrea Yates to drown her five children in 2001.
At a Glance
- Andrea Yates drowned her five children on June 20, 2001
- New docuseries links preacher Michael Woroniecki’s teachings to her actions
- Yates believed killing her children would save them from hell
- The three-part series premiered on HBO Max on January 6
Why it matters: The documentary reveals previously unknown details about the religious extremism that may have contributed to one of America’s most shocking family tragedies.
The Preacher’s Influence
Andrea’s husband Russell “Rusty” Yates introduced her to Woroniecki after meeting him at college. Initially drawn to his “edgier” teachings about judgment day, Rusty admired that Woroniecki preached independence from organized religion.
“I felt like he was genuinely trying to follow what he read and saw in scripture,” Rusty said in the docuseries.
After their marriage in 1993, Andrea began following Woroniecki’s teachings. While Rusty lost contact with the preacher after their fourth child’s birth in 1999, Andrea’s connection intensified during her battle with postpartum depression and psychosis.
Letters During Mental Health Crisis
Even after Rusty stopped communicating with Woroniecki, Andrea continued exchanging letters with both Woroniecki and his wife Rachel. Researcher Suzy Spencer, who obtained several letters anonymously, noted Andrea’s vulnerability during this period.
“Andrea was searching, Andrea was lonely and through their letters back and forth, Andrea could pour out her heart,” Spencer explained.
One 1999 letter from Rachel urged Andrea to “know Jesus and be able to give him to your children.” Rachel warned that Jesus “knows how wicked you are, how weak and vulnerable” and reminded Andrea she was “accountable for these children.”
“Don’t look to Rusty. Look to Jesus,” Rachel wrote. “If you allow Satan to come in and still be understanding, the consequences will be tragic.”
The Defense Argument
Andrea’s attorneys later argued that Woroniecki’s influence, combined with her mental illness, led her to believe she needed to kill her children to save them from hell.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Phillip Resnick, who testified at Andrea’s trials, believed she was “strongly influenced” by Woroniecki.
“Mrs. Yates believed that she was marked as evil,” Resnick said. “She believed that Satan was literally within her and surrounding her and influencing her during her psychotic period before the killing.”
Juror Todd Frank from Andrea’s second trial explained their not guilty by reason of insanity verdict: “Everything in her psychosis tied back to her religious beliefs. She believed she was this unrighteous mother… and those unrighteous children were going to burn in hell unless they died before the age of accountability.”
The Preaching Bus
In 1998, the Yates family purchased Woroniecki’s old preaching bus after he acquired a new “Jesus” bus. Living in a trailer at the time, Rusty thought the bus seemed like a “great deal.”
Woroniecki and his family traveled across the country in buses, spreading his message. At least one other follower also bought a bus to follow his example.
Looking back, Rusty regrets the purchase. “I think I would’ve overruled my family if given the chance again,” he said. “I don’t think I would’ve bought it.”
Warning Signs Missed
Andrea had struggled with depression throughout her life. After attempting suicide following their fourth child’s birth in 1999, she was diagnosed with postpartum depression and psychosis. Despite doctors warning that pregnancy could trigger relapse, the couple had their fifth child in November 2000.
“I just thought, ‘Okay, she’ll get sick. Worst case, it’ll be like a flu. She’ll get treated with the same medicines that worked for her before and we’ll be done,'” Rusty explained.
As Andrea’s condition worsened, experiencing visual and auditory hallucinations, Rusty never considered their children might be at risk.
“Nowhere, on anyone’s radar, was any possibility of harm to our children,” he said.
The Interrogation Evidence
In police interviews, Andrea revealed Woroniecki’s influence on her actions. She believed children reached the “age of accountability” at 12, and that her children would “continue stumbling” without her intervention.
“It’s better to tie a stone around your neck and throw yourself in the sea than cause a little one to stumble,” she told investigators, echoing Woroniecki’s frequent preaching.
Both Andrea and Woroniecki were shown quoting the same Bible verse about millstones, though Woroniecki denied any responsibility for her actions in a 2002 Good Morning America interview.
“I shared Jesus with them,” Woroniecki said. “I hold Rusty responsible but I also hold Andrea responsible.”
Regret and Reflection
Co-director Julian B. Hobbs told the Houston Chronicle that Woroniecki’s role “has remained in the shadows” and their documentary “uncovered new facts relating to the critical role of Woroniecki throughout the Yates marriage.”
Rusty now acknowledges he “miscalculated the effect on Andrea” and believes “her delusions could well have been influenced by her exposure to the Woronieckis.”
“If I had to do it all over, I would not have introduced her to them,” he concluded.
