What to Know
For over 20 years, photographer Mark Laita documented the Whittaker family of Odd, West Virginia who have been widely described in media reports as “America’s most inbred family.” During his time with the family, Laita was building what he believed was a genuine relationship with them. But in 2024, that relationship was tested when Laita donated $1,000 toward a funeral for Larry Whittaker, only to discover Larry was very much alive.
Laita built a relationship with the Whittaker family.
Laita first met the Whittaker family in 2004 when he visited their home to photograph them for his book Created Equal. What started as a single visit turned into a two-decade relationship between the photographer and the unique family. During that time, Laita documented the family’s daily life through photos and videos, He would drop by periodically, documenting their daily life through photos and videos. That footage eventually helped launch his YouTube channel Soft White Underbelly in 2020.
The Whittaker family tree can be traced back to first cousins John Emory and Gracie Irene Whittaker, who had 15 children together. Over the generations, cousins intermarried within their family, which many believe accounts for the distinctive physical and cognitive differences that have made them subjects of public fascination. Throughout his time with them, Laita consistently treated the Whittakers with respect, even as their story drew significant online attention.
The family apparently wasn’t honest with Laita.
The goodwill between Laita and the Whittakers was put to the test when Laita learned Larry Whittaker had reportedly died from a heart attack. Since he knew the family, Laita wanted to help and donated $1,000 toward the cost of the final expenses and funeral.
Not long later, the photographer saw footage that contradicted what the family had told him and it was clear that Larry was still very much alive. He knew he had to confront the family with the lie, and that’s exactly what he did.
Laita confronted the family for not being truthful, Larry’s daughter apologized and Laita was happy to accept and move forward. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the last time the family asked for money while not being honest about what for.
Larry asked the photographer if he could give them $700 to take BJ to North Carolina where she would be able to start a new life. And he was willing to help out, with some conditions.
“I said, ‘as long as you’re taking your daughter to North Carolina to get her away from your family, then I can continue my relationship with you guys, but I don’t want to be part of you guys if everyone’s lying to me,’” Laita said in a YouTube video.
Laita found out Larry had lied again.
The family knew the difference between right and wrong and apologized to Laita again, who ultimately forgave them after Larry apologized.
“It’s been a long time,” Larry said to Laita in the new video. “I’m sorry for what they’ve done to you, and I want to tell the whole world that I’m sorry for what they done.”
Laita was good to let the bad feelings go, saying, “I’m very good at forgiving and understanding. I’ve missed you guys, I think a lot of my viewers have missed you guys, too.”
What’s happened to the Whittaker family?
According to the Daily Mail, the state of West Virginia removed Ray Whittaker, Lorene Whittaker, and Timmy Whittaker in 2025 and moved them to alternative housing. Larry told the news outlet he believes the demise was due to excessive social media exposure.
“There’s too much sh– out there, they’re watching,” he said. “People out there are making money off them (the videos), and they don’t like it; they (adult protective services) told us don’t talk to nobody,” he said.
Perhaps he’s right. Would the Whittakers have lived happily ever after without Laita and his exposure? We’ll never know.
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