Three members of a family known for being “the most inbred” in America recently vanished from their rundown West Virginia home after a quiet eviction by state authorities. Relatives believe a viral video contributed to the family becoming an internet phenomenon.
State Adult Protective Services took custody of Ray Whitaker, 72, and his sister Loreen, 79. Disturbingly, their relatives reported that Timmy, 46, and his son, also 46, were discovered dead in the family’s deteriorating property in Oddo last September.
The siblings Betty, 73, and Larry, 69, expressed their confusion, stating they were left behind without any notice and have been unable to reach their family members since the eviction.
“They said they were helping us, but I feel very nostalgic because I grew up there,” Betty shared. “I just… I don’t know.”
Larry voiced his frustration, mentioning they weren’t informed about where their siblings were taken. “I was just waiting for a call. That’s all I know,” he lamented. “They didn’t let us know anything. It’s frustrating.”
Officials from the West Virginia Department of Human Services acknowledged the situation but remained tight-lipped due to privacy laws.
The history of inbreeding in the Whitaker family goes back over a hundred years, stemming from a marriage between two cousins, both descended from identical twin brothers, which severely impacted the family’s gene pool.
A documentary released on YouTube in 2020 brought the family’s isolation and struggles into the public eye, attracting tens of millions of views. It displayed both the challenging living conditions and a voyeuristic glimpse into their lives.
However, the increased attention from social media has caused issues for this secluded family, with the documentarian describing the experience as “one of the most disturbing interviews” he’s encountered.
Neighbors reported frequent visitors showing up to the property, capturing videos and photos of the Whitakers’ lives. One local suggested that the online frenzy may have prompted state action.
“People are profiting from this. They don’t like it,” he claimed, referring to the protective services’ interventions.
When reporters revisited the cabin recently, they found Betty and Larry enduring poor living conditions. Food sat neglected on the stove while insects crawled over surfaces.
Inside, the calendar was stuck on March, and outside, clothes hung on makeshift lines, with remnants of Halloween decorations intertwined with refuse and discarded items.
Their property featured a collapsed chicken coop, abandoned trailers, and a barn in disrepair.
“They said they were helping us, yet we can’t live here anymore,” Betty said again, gazing down the dirt driveway, likely recalling the good old days she cherished.
