A filmmaker working on a documentary about a deeply interconnected American family claims he was misled by them. Mark Laita, who established contact with the Whittakers in 2004, has been providing regular updates on YouTube. The Whittakers, labeled as “the most popular inbred family in the United States” by Laita, have a history of inbreeding, starting with marriages between children of identical twin brothers Henry and John, leading to generations of descendants with severe disabilities.
Initially hesitant to interact with Laita, the Whittakers from Odd, West Virginia, showed suspicion, with one family member allegedly brandishing a gun during an early meeting. Laita, recounting his first encounter with the Whittakers on a podcast, described a bizarre and unsettling scene reminiscent of a movie. Despite the initial challenges, Laita gradually gained their trust by immersing himself in their unique lifestyle.
However, tensions arose when Laita accused the Whittakers of fabricating the death of a family member, Larry, from a heart attack. In a surprising turn of events, Laita donated $1,000 to Larry’s supposed funeral only to discover later that Larry was alive. Laita exposed the deception in a YouTube video, showcasing Larry discussing his fake death.
Although the deception initially caused a rift, Laita continued his visits to the Whittakers, even helping when their mobile home caught fire. Despite the rocky past, it seems that their relationship has since improved.