Andrea Yates

I recently read a book by Suzy Spencer, "Breaking Point" about the lead up to, the event of, and the aftermath of Andrea Yates drowning her five children. The book takes you through the years before the event and the Yates family's living situation and family dynamic, the murders, and the trial. It was a really gripping read, and had me in tears at times. If you have Kindle Unlimited, the book is free to read. Otherwise, Kindle is $2, and new copies start at $14 plus shipping, and go up from there...

It had me remembering my own breakdown after my daughter was born in 1991, I immediately felt major empathy for Andrea Yates. I was certain in my heart that she was in the throes of deep postpartum depression (I had not heard of postpartum psychosis at that point in time). I knew the verdict would be guilty, and since it was Texas, I was sure that the Death Penalty would be levied. I was so glad to see that the sentencing jury had a heart and gave her life in prison.

I was even happier when her sentence was overturned and the verdict in her retrial was a far more accurate one.

I think Andrea Yates is a tortured soul. She lives every day knowing that she killed the children she loves. No wonder why she waives her release reviews every year and continues to allow her ex to visit her (which no doubt reopens the wound every damn time). She is punishing herself.

I hope she finds some peace.

In closing, Andrea does not hold ALL the guilt for those five murders. Her ex husband, Rusty, sure as hell is culpable as well. He had her living in a BUS for several years, for crying out loud, with four small children that she was homeschooling at HIS behest. She was extremely isolated from adult company, and Rusty and her doctors brushed off her first bout with PPD as if it were nothing.

And then Rusty left her alone with the kids, when they had a plan in place that Andrea was NOT to be alone with the kids, but Rusty didn't want to wait for the other adult to come to the house, so he went off to NASA and left Andrea alone at home with five children ages seven and under. Disaster and tragedy followed.

Rusty should be in a fucking cell.