A filmmaker who set out to assist what he labeled as the most inbred family in America alleges that he was misled by the group. Mark Laita established contact with the Whittakers back in 2004 and has since been providing updates through YouTube, sharing videos like ‘Christmas season with the Whittakers’, ‘The Whittaker family cemetery’, and ‘The Whittakers go to the state fair’. However, the journey has not been without challenges.
The Whittakers, referred to by Laita as “the most popular inbred family in the United States,” lead an unusual life characterized by a history of inbreeding that began when children of identical twin brothers Henry and John married each other. This practice continued through generations, resulting in several descendants suffering from severe disabilities.
Initially, the Whittakers, residing in Odd, West Virginia, were hesitant to engage with Laita. Allegedly, during an early meeting, one suspicious family member even brandished a gun at him.
During an appearance on The Koncrete Klips podcast, Laita shared his initial impressions of the Whittakers, likening the scene to something out of the unsettling film, Deliverance. Despite the rocky start, Laita gradually gained their trust by learning about their unique lifestyle. However, tensions arose when Laita accused the family of fabricating the death of Larry, a family member, from a heart attack. In a bid to show support, Laita made a $1,000 donation towards Larry’s funeral, only to later discover that Larry was still alive.
In a YouTube video titled ‘The Death of Larry Whittaker,’ Laita exposed the deception, capturing Larry discussing his fake death outside his home. Larry denied involvement in the scheme, claiming he only learned about it from a video the night before.
Despite the deceit, Laita continued his visits to the Whittakers and even helped when their mobile home caught fire. It seems that any past grievances have been resolved, and their relationship has moved forward positively.
