The Whittaker family, known as America’s “most inbred family,” has apologized to photographer Mark Laita after it was revealed they had lied to him multiple times. Laita, who first encountered the family in Odd, West Virginia, two decades ago, began documenting their lives in 2020 for his YouTube channel, Soft White Underbelly. Earlier this year, the family falsely claimed that one of their members, Larry Whittaker, had died, leading Laita to raise funds for his funeral and donate $1,000 himself. When he discovered that Larry was alive, he was understandably upset by the deception.
Despite vowing to cut ties, Laita visited the family again this summer, capturing the moment Larry apologized for their actions. During their reunion, Larry expressed regret, stating, “I’m sorry for what they’ve done to you,” to which Laita responded with forgiveness, admitting that he had missed them. Laita, known for his compassionate approach to documenting marginalized communities, has now resumed his relationship with the family and even started another GoFundMe campaign to support them.
The Whittakers have been a subject of fascination and controversy since their story went viral, drawing both sympathy and criticism. Laita’s efforts to raise awareness about their challenging living conditions and the family’s complex history have garnered significant attention online. The new fundraising campaign aims to help the family with living expenses and home maintenance.
While the relationship between Laita and the Whittakers has seen its ups and downs, it seems they are working to rebuild trust. The ongoing support from Laita and his viewers highlights the power of storytelling and the impact it can have on those living in isolated and difficult circumstances.
