Larry Whittaker, a member of America's most inbred family, has died aged 67. The Whittakers are one of the most well-known families in America due to their complicated history with inbreeding. Devastating genetic defects have left some members of the West Virginian family communicating through grunts and barks rather than words or sign language.
Photographer Mark Laita, who has been documenting the family's lives since 2020, shared the upsetting news on YouTube today. He believes Larry died following a heart attack last week - and his passing has been a devastating shock to the family. In his video, 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." In a tribute, one YouTube user said: "So sorry to the Whitaker Family! Mark thank you for your love and kindness to this family. RIP Larry." Another said: "So sorry to hear about Larry's passing. Prayers for the Whittaker family. Thank you Mark for all your love and support for everyone!"
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A third user added: "My deepest condolences to the Whittakers for their loss. RIP Larry." One more user said: "I’m so sorry to hear of Larry’s passing. I’m so glad to know he really cared for his siblings! Sending so much love to the whole family!"
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Living in the village of Odd, 75 miles from Charleston, the Whittaker's inbreeding started with a set of identical twin brothers, Henry and John, whose children got married and went on to have their own children together.
Harry and his wife Sally had seven children together, including John Isom Whittaker, who was born in 1882. John fell in love with Ada Rigg, his first cousin, and went on to have nine children with her, including their daughter Gracie Irene Whittaker in 1920.
When Gracie grew up, she married her double cousin, John Emory Whittaker, in 1935, whom she shared both sets of grandparents with, and went on to have 15 children. Tragically, many of their children were born with severe physical and mental impairments, believed to have been a result of inbreeding.
Betty, Timmy, Larry and Kenneth standing on the porch (YouTube/Soft White Undderbelly)Their eldest child, Aileen, passed away in June 1997 after suffering from a heart attack, while their oldest son Emery died a month after being born in 1938 after suffering from pneumonia. Today, Betty, who was born in 1952, has become the head of the family after promising her mother she would not marry so she could look after her 14 siblings.
Documenting their lives out in Odd, photographer Mark was invited into their house and spoke to the family about their day-to-day lives as well as their heritage. When asking about their parents, Betty wouldn't say if her parents were related - but later confirmed her mum and dad are double first cousins.
Her siblings, Ray and Lorene, were both seemingly unable to communicate through words - instead, they used grunts, barks, and movements to express themselves. However, they seemed to understand what photographer Mark was asking without any difficulty.
It was shared how Lorene's son, Timmy, was born in 1979 as a result of sexual abuse from an unidentified man. Speaking about the family, a relative said: "They understand what you're talking about. If they don't like it, they start yelling- they let you know they don't like that idea."
Timmy is the only member of the Whittaker family who graduated from high school. The family are protected by their neighbors who do not take kindly to strangers turning up at their door, with an angry neighbor even threatening photographer Mark when he showed up to visit the family.
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