A filmmaker working on a documentary about a highly inbred family in America has claimed that he was deceived by the family. Mark Laita established contact with the Whittakers in 2004 and has been providing updates on their lives through YouTube videos such as ‘Christmas season with the Whittakers’ and ‘The Whittaker family cemetery’. The Whittakers, known as “the most popular inbred family in the United States,” have a history of inbreeding originating from marriages between children of identical twin brothers, resulting in generations of descendants with severe disabilities.
Initially hesitant to engage with Laita, the Whittakers, based in Odd, West Virginia, even had a family member allegedly brandish a gun during an early encounter. In a podcast appearance, Laita described his first meeting with the Whittakers as reminiscent of a scene from the unsettling movie, Deliverance. Despite the initial challenges, Laita gradually gained their trust by learning about their unique lifestyle.
However, tensions arose when Laita accused the Whittakers of fabricating the death of family member Larry from a heart attack. Laita made a donation towards Larry’s funeral only to discover later that Larry was still alive. In a YouTube video titled ‘The Death of Larry Whittaker’, Larry was seen discussing the fake death incident. His daughter, BJ, admitted to the deception and apologized for the ruse.
Although the deception initially caused a rift, Laita continued his visits to the Whittakers and even provided assistance when their mobile home caught fire. Despite the rocky start, the relationship between Laita and the Whittakers seems to have improved over time.
