For years, filmmaker Mark Laita has documented the lives of America’s most inbred family, the Whittakers, offering a rare and unsettling glimpse into their secluded existence in the small town of Odd, West Virginia. Known for their unusual behaviors—barking at passersby, communicating through grunts, and frequently running away when approached—the family has long been the subject of intrigue and controversy. However, after years of involvement, Laita has now made a startling declaration: he’s completely severed ties with them, citing deceit and manipulation that have left him feeling betrayed.
The Filmmaker’s First Encounter With The Whittakers
Laita’s journey with the Whittakers began back in 2004 when he set out to capture their lives for his book, Created Equal, which explores the diversity of American society. When he first arrived, the reception was anything but warm—he was met with wary neighbors brandishing shotguns, fiercely protective of the family’s privacy. According to him, they weren’t just defensive; they were outright hostile to outsiders, especially those who might mock or exploit the Whittakers.
Over time, Laita managed to gain their trust, eventually photographing them and even returning in 2020 for a deeper dive into their world through his YouTube channel, Soft White Underbelly. His second visit was no less bizarre, with family members exhibiting erratic behaviors that reinforced the idea of extreme inbreeding. “Their eyes were moving in different directions, they were barking at us, and one man would scream and bolt away if you so much as made eye contact with him,” he recalled. The experience left him shaken but determined to understand more.
The Truth Behind Their Condition: Inbreeding, Or Something Else?
When pressed about their genetic background, the Whittakers themselves seemed unsure. While some acknowledged a history of interfamily relationships, others, like Kenneth, attributed their peculiar physical traits to “coal mining.” Whether out of shame, confusion, or misinformation, the family has never given a definitive answer about their origins. Yet, their genetic anomalies—misaligned eyes, speech impediments, and erratic behaviors—are characteristic of severe inbreeding, something that researchers and experts have pointed out in similar cases.
The Viral Documentary And The GoFundMe Scandal
Laita’s 2020 documentary, Inbred Family – The Whittakers, catapulted them into the public eye, drawing millions of views on YouTube. With the newfound attention came an outpouring of support, leading to a GoFundMe campaign aimed at improving their living conditions. Donations flooded in, and soon, the Whittakers were receiving financial assistance that was expected to change their lives.
However, cracks began to appear in the narrative. YouTuber Tyler Oliveira later visited the family and asked Betty, one of the elder Whittaker members, what had happened to all the money raised. Her response—“I don’t know”—sent shockwaves through the community. Had the funds been mismanaged, or worse, deliberately hidden? Laita, who had been the main orchestrator of the fundraiser, was blindsided by her words and left fuming.
Laita’s Final Break: “I’m Done With Them”
For Laita, this was the final straw. He had dedicated years to supporting the family, ensuring they had food, shelter, and financial resources. But now, he felt used. “She calls me every two to three weeks asking for more money,” he revealed, frustrated. “I always ask, ‘What are you doing with all this? You’re living in West Virginia—how can you possibly be spending so much?’ And she just says, ‘I need it.’”
The realization that he was being misled weighed heavily on him. The situation had spiraled beyond what he initially set out to do—document an isolated family’s struggles. Instead, it had turned into a never-ending cycle of requests and unanswered questions. “I’m shutting down the GoFundMe. I probably won’t even make videos with them anymore. This has left such a bad taste in my mouth,” he admitted.
The Fake Death Scandal That Made Things Worse
As if the financial scandal wasn’t enough, the Whittakers became embroiled in another controversy when they falsely reported the death of one of their own, Larry Whittaker. The misinformation originated from the family itself, leading Laita to announce Larry’s passing on his channel. However, in a shocking twist, Larry was later revealed to be alive, completely unaware that his own relatives had spread the falsehood.
The reason behind the lie? Larry’s daughter, BJ, admitted she had fabricated the story to receive money for a funeral that never happened. She had collected $1,000 before being caught. “I’m not proud of what I did,” she confessed, adding that her ongoing battle with drug addiction had driven her to deception.
A Final Attempt At Reconciliation—And Yet Another Betrayal
Despite the turmoil, Laita tried to offer Larry one last chance. He handed him $700, believing the money would be used to move BJ out of state and away from her toxic environment. However, days passed, and it became clear that Larry had no intention of following through with the plan.
At this point, Laita had reached his limit. “They’re all lying to me, so I’m done with them,” he declared in a final video, speaking with another Whittaker relative, Jason. “They were already getting money from the state before I helped, so I don’t know what else to do besides walk away.”
The Legacy Of The Whittaker Story
With Laita’s departure, the Whittakers are once again left to fend for themselves in Odd, West Virginia. Their story, however, has left a lasting mark on viewers worldwide, serving as both a cautionary tale and a study in human resilience. Some continue to support them, believing they are simply misunderstood victims of their circumstances. Others see them as cunning manipulators who played the system and their benefactors.
As for Laita, he remains focused on his filmmaking but warns others to approach such situations with caution. “Sometimes, trying to help people can backfire in ways you never imagined,” he reflects. “You think you’re changing lives, but in the end, you realize—some people don’t want to be helped.”