Shock update on America’s ‘most inbred family’ after protective services intervene

In 2004, the Whittakers – who live outside the small town of Odd, West Virginia – became known to the entire world. Laita’s documentary, featuring siblings Ray, Betty, Larry, and Lorene, alongside Lorene’s son, Timmy, saw the clan branded “America’s most inbred family”.

After a rocky beginning – a family member is said to have pulled a gun on Laita – Laita was eventually able to befriend the family. Later, however, the documentary filmmaker revealed that the Whittakers had lied to him.

In March 2024, Laita announced that one of the family members, Larry, had died of a possible heart attack. Per The Mirror, Mark said: “There’s some news with the Whittaker family. Sadly, Larry Whittaker passed away last week. I think he had a heart attack.”

“Larry was always a great dude to me. He was always really nice. Larry was always a standup guy and he and Betty really ran the show very well. Larry will be greatly missed. It’s going to be hard on Betty now.”