In 2004, filmmaker and photographer Mark Laita gained worldwide attention after documenting the Whittaker family of rural West Virginia, a family often described as “America’s most inbred family.” The documentary introduced viewers to siblings Ray, Betty, Larry, and Lorene Whittaker, as well as Lorene’s son, Timmy, and explored the family’s unusual ancestry and the physical and cognitive challenges many members faced.
The Whittakers’ family history included multiple marriages between first cousins across generations. One particularly notable branch involved two brothers, John and Henry Whittaker, who were identical twins. John married his first cousin, Ada, and Henry married Sally. Years later, John’s daughter Gracie and Henry’s son John—who were first cousins—married and had 15 children together.
During his visits, Laita asked family members about their health conditions and whether they believed inbreeding had played a role. However, many appeared unaware of any connection. One family member even suggested that certain physical traits might have been caused by coal mining rather than genetics.
Although Laita eventually developed a close relationship with the family, his interactions were not always smooth. During one of his early visits, a relative reportedly pulled a gun on him before trust was eventually established.
In March 2024, Laita shared the sad news that family member Larry Whittaker had allegedly died from a heart attack. Wanting to help, he donated $1,000 toward funeral expenses. However, he later discovered that Larry was actually alive.
The truth emerged in a YouTube video showing Larry sitting outside the family’s home. Laita said he felt shocked and betrayed, explaining that he had been told Larry had passed away and later realized he had been misled.
The money had been given to Larry’s daughter, BJ, who later admitted she had lied. She apologized and revealed that she had been struggling with heroin and crack cocaine addiction at the time, saying her drug use had influenced her actions.
Despite the deception, Laita chose not to abandon the family. He continued supporting them through fundraising efforts, including a GoFundMe campaign that raised thousands of dollars to help improve their living conditions and provide ongoing assistance.