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Andrea Yates: The Cult Behind the Killer Part 1

March 10, 2026·1 hr 13 min·5 clips

Michael Warnicki taught that only eight people would be saved, pitting families against each other in a deadly race.

This episode of True Crime Obsessed begins a two-part recap of the documentary "Andrea Yates: The Cult Behind the Killer." Hosts Patrick Hines and Gillian Pensavalle introduce the case of Andrea Yates, who drowned her five children in 2001. The hosts promise to explore a major element they feel the initial media coverage missed. The episode opens with footage of Rusty Yates, Andrea's husband, watching home videos of their children Noah, John, Paul, Luke, and Mary. Rusty describes meeting Andrea in 1989 and their plan to have "however many [children] came along," resulting in five kids under seven. The documentary introduces Moses Storm, a former member of the same religious group as the Yates family, who says he understands why Andrea committed her acts. The spiritual leader is identified as Michael Warnicki, who preached about impending doom and Judgment Day. A key insight is that Warnicki's teachings, delivered via mailed tapes and pamphlets, framed the entire world as "satanically infested." Moses Storm reveals he was born into the group, with Warnicki being his mother's uncle, and describes a childhood of fear and control. Another follower, David, recounts being drawn to Warnicki's "edgy" campus preaching while pursuing a corporate "yuppie" lifestyle. The hosts note the group advocated homeschooling to avoid "negative influences," a point Rusty attributes to Andrea. The hosts express surprise that Moses Storm is now a successful stand-up comedian processing his past. They emphasize the documentary's argument that Warnicki's ideology, which claimed parents could damn their children, is crucial to understanding Andrea Yates's state of mind. Rusty Yates's repeated description of Andrea as "catatonic" is contrasted with his decision to leave for work the morning of the murders. The tone is conversational and reactive, with the hosts frequently interjecting their opinions and disbelief. They blend recap with commentary, often addressing the audience directly as "fam." Listeners interested in deep dives into true crime cases with a focus on societal and psychological context will appreciate this episode. Those sensitive to discussions of child harm or who prefer a strictly factual, non-commentary format might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A cult story told with sharp pacing, cramped spaces, and a lot of side-eye.

The episode follows True Crime Obsessed as it takes on a cult that brands colleges, hospitals, and anything beyond its reach as satanic, while David tries to protect a lucrative, successful future and still stay loyal to Warnacki.

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Why you'd press play

You get cult logic, family claustrophobia, and a David-versus-Warnacki split that keeps the story moving.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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