488: Andrea Yates: The Cult Behind the Killer Part 1

On June 20, 2001, 36-year-old Andrea Yates did the unthinkable when she drowned her five children in the bathtub of her family home. For decades, that was all anyone knew. We called her crazy, evil, unforgivable. We couldn't imagine how it could have happened. But the backstory is horrifying and centers around the "teachings" of a radical street preacher, who psychologically tortured and tormented his followers into believing they and their children were unsavable and doomed to spend eternity in hell. Parents had until "the age of accountability" - only twelve years old - to save their kids from eternal torment and damnation. We hate this guy, fam. And as you come to understand the power he had over Andrea, you start to understand the why behind her actions.

FAM! We'll have Part 2 of our coverage here in the regular feed next week, but if you don't want to wait, it's also available right now, early and ad-free, as a special bonus for all Patreon members!

Find and watch "The Cult Behind the Killer" on HBO Max

LOOKING FOR MORE TCO? On our Patreon feed, you'll find over 400 FULL AD-FREE BONUS episodes to BINGE RIGHT NOW, including our episode-by-episode coverage of popular documentary series like Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God, LulaRich, and The Curious Case of Natalia Grace; classics like The Jinx, Making A Murderer, and The Staircase; and well-known cases like The Menendez Murders, Casey Anthony: American Murder Mystery, and The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann, and so many more!

All Patreon members can also join us for the next Virtual Drag Bingo on Friday, March 13!

Episode Sponsors:

• ZipRecruiter - See why ZipRecruiter is the hiring site employers prefer most. Try it FOR FREE at www.ZipRecruiter.com/TCO
• Helix - Upgrade your sleep! Go to www.helixsleep.com/tco for 27% Off Sitewide!!
• IQ Bar - The better for you, plant protein snacks. Text TCO to 64000 to get twenty percent off all IQBAR products, plus FREE shipping
• Home Chef -  Make cooking simple: fresh food delivered, easy recipes to follow and meals that actually taste great. Go to www.HomeChef.com/TCO for 50% off your first box and free dessert for life!
• Ritual - Ritual’s Essential for Women 18+ is a multivitamin you can actually trust. Get 25% off your first month at www.Ritual.com/TCO

WE'RE ON YOUTUBE - Want to view the episodes and not just listen?  Check our new video feed to see full video episodes starting today. CLICK HERE TO WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE!

Join the TCO Community! Follow True Crime Obsessed on Instagram and TikTok, and join us on Facebook at the True Crime Obsessed Podcast Discussion Group!  AND INTRODUCING THE NEW TCO DISCORD CHANNEL AS WELL!!!