How to stream 'The Cult Behind the Killer'? Everything to know about ID's chilling Andrea Yates docuseries
The horrific case of Andrea Yates will be re-examined in Investigation Discovery's 'The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story.' The three-part docuseries will explore the complexities of the case in depth, drawing on court records and medical history. Additionally, the docuseries will examine the possibility that a rogue street preacher influenced Andrea, who drowned her five young children. With the docuseries already released on HBO Max, here's how you can stream it.
The docuseries premiered on Tuesday, January 6, from 8 pm to 11 pm PT/ET on Investigation Discovery and can be livestreamed through services that carry the network, including DirecTV, Philo, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Notably, Sling TV offers the Investigation Discovery channel in its Blue Plan (starting at $45.99/month) and Orange Plan (starting at $50.99/month or $4.99 for a 1-day pass), with new customers able to get the combined Orange & Blue plan at half off for the first month ($33) before it rises to $65.99/month.
Sling Blue is best for sports and family channels, while Orange focuses on news, entertainment, and local programming. Hulu + Live TV also offers Investigation Discovery, with a three-day free trial available for packages starting at $82.99/month, bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+. On the other hand, DirecTV offers the Investigation Discovery channel in its signature packages starting at $29.99 per month, with a five-day free trial available for new users. Philo offers ID access for $25 for the first month and $33 per month thereafter, making it one of the most affordable cable alternatives.
Reportedly, the docuseries also features interviews with Andrea's former husband, Rusty Yates, and ex-followers of preacher Michael Woroniecki, who describe teachings that may have worsened her mental illness. However, Michael and his wife, Rachel Woroniecki, declined to participate, as per Time. Talking about the tragedy, on June 20, 2001, in Clear Lake, Texas, Andrea drowned her five children, aged six months to seven years, in the family bathtub.
She then called 911 and calmly confessed, saying, "I killed my kids." Police found one child in the bathtub and the others in the bedroom, with no signs of struggle. Determined, Andrea acted alone before her mother-in-law was due to arrive. She was immediately taken into custody and initially convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison despite her defense citing severe mental illness. However, in 2005, her conviction was overturned after the Texas Court of Appeals found that false testimony by a prosecution expert, claiming a 'Law & Order' episode, misled the jury and violated her right to a fair trial.
It was later revealed that no such 'Law & Order' episode existed, and the appellate court ruled that the expert's false testimony was misleading and may have influenced the jury, violating Andrea's right to a fair trial. In her 2006 retrial, Andrea was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a state psychiatric hospital. She was first placed in a high-security facility and later transferred to Kerrville State Hospital, where she remains under psychiatric care and has consistently chosen not to seek release, though she is eligible for periodic reviews.
