A filmmaker who set out to assist a family known as America’s most inbred group alleges that he was misled by the family. Mark Laita established contact with the Whittakers in 2004 and has since provided updates through YouTube, sharing videos like ‘Christmas with the Whittakers’ and ‘The Whittaker family cemetery’. However, the journey has not been without challenges.
The Whittakers, dubbed by Laita as “the most popular inbred family in the United States,” lead an unconventional life due to a history of inbreeding originating from marriages between children of twin brothers. This practice has resulted in generations of descendants facing severe disabilities.
Initially hesitant to engage with Laita, the Whittakers from Odd, West Virginia, exhibited suspicion, with one family member reportedly drawing a gun during an early encounter. Laita, speaking on The Koncrete Klips podcast, described his initial interactions with the family as reminiscent of a scene from the unsettling film Deliverance. Despite the initial tension, Laita gradually gained their trust by immersing himself in their unique lifestyle.
Relations soured when Laita accused the Whittakers of fabricating the death of a family member named Larry from a heart attack. Laita, out of sympathy, made a $1,000 donation for Larry’s funeral, only to discover later that Larry was alive. This revelation came to light in a YouTube video titled ‘The Death of Larry Whittaker,’ where Larry confessed to being unaware of the ruse until recently.
Despite the deception, Laita continued his visits with the Whittakers and even assisted them financially when their mobile home was destroyed in a fire. The filmmaker’s relationship with the family seems to have moved past the earlier misunderstandings.
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