Who Were Andrea Yates' 5 Children? Remembering Noah, John, Paul, Luke and Mary 25 Years After Their Tragic Drowning Deaths By Jordana Comiter

Andrea Yates killed her five children after drowning them in the bathtub of her suburban Houston home — but nearly 25 years later, her ex-husband maintains that being a mother was her “favorite role.”

Andrea and her then-husband, Rusty Yates, became parents in 1994 when they welcomed their first child, son Noah. They eventually became a family of seven, welcoming sons John, Paul and Luke, as well as daughter Mary. In June 2001, Andrea drowned all five of the Yates children before calling 911 and later confessing.

Although she was initially convicted of capital murder, Andrea was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity. During her first trial in 2002, jail psychiatrist Melissa Ferguson testified during the 2002 trial that Andrea believed she was evil and that she was fulfilling a prophecy by drowning her children, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

Andrea had previously been diagnosed with postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis, which can cause hallucinations and delusions, per the Cleveland Clinic. After a “nervous breakdown” in 1999 following Luke’s birth, doctors warned the family not to have more children; however, they went on to welcome daughter Mary.

“After we got married, we discussed children and said we considered each one a blessing, and we’d have however many came along. That was our plan,” Rusty said in HBO Max’s The Cult Behind the Killer: The Andrea Yates Story, which premiered in January 2026.

On a memorial site that Rusty now maintains for his children, he shared what he thinks their life would have looked like down the line had Andrea not killed their kids: “If our family had continued, [the children] would have grown up, gone to school, started working, and had families of our own,” he wrote.

Here’s everything to know about Andrea and Rusty Yates’ five children: Noah, John, Paul, Luke and Mary.

Noah

The oldest Yates child, Noah Jacob, was “born curious” on Feb. 26, 1994, as Rusty wrote on the memorial site.

Per his bio, Noah had several hobbies, including swimming, beading and making drawings, especially of rainbows and butterflies. As he grew older, Noah liked building things and once created a house out of popsicle sticks. He also enjoyed playing basketball with his dad.

Rusty wrote on the site that Noah could have “done anything” and “been happy” as he grew up, noting that he might have been a doctor, entomologist, florist, triathlete or artist.

John

John Samuel was born on Dec. 15, 1995. He arrived one week late and was born “a little grumpy,” Rusty wrote on the memorial site.

He liked trucks, diving in the pool and playing T-ball, and “really looked up” to his big brother Noah.

John and Noah were homeschooled by Andrea, who taught them to read and do math, and occasionally took them on field trips, per Rusty.

Per John’s bio, Andrea and Rusty thought he would have made a “good football linebacker or a good construction foreman” as he grew older.

Paul

Andrea and Rusty welcomed Paul Abraham on Sept. 13, 1997. He had many nicknames — including Bull Moose, Tool Man, Rocket Man and Trash Man — per his bio on Rusty’s memorial site.

Paul enjoyed dancing to music, pretending he was a fireman and all things rockets — especially the NASA channel.

Rusty described Paul on the site as a “kind, caring, loving boy” whom he and Andrea called “Perfect Paul.”

Luke

Andrea and Rusty’s fourth child, son Luke, played with his brothers around the house and helped his mom in the garden.

Rusty described him on the site as a “determined little boy” who was “fearless,” except when it came to thunder.

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Rusty wrote on the site that he and Andrea “will always wonder” what Luke would have done with his life, but they believe he could have done “just about anything.”

Luke was 2 years old when he was killed by his mother.

Mary

Andrea and Rusty’s fifth and youngest child was daughter Mary, who was just six months old when she was killed.

Rusty wrote in Mary’s bio that she enjoyed being around her big brothers, who were “very good to her.” In fact, when they’d go shopping, each brother would hold onto a corner of the shopping cart, carrying her like a “little princess” on top.

Rusty wrote that he and Andrea think she would have been a “tomboy” after growing up with four big brothers.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.