Missing Texas university brains destroyed

The University of Texas says brains thought missing were thrown away after faculty members concluded they weren't suitable for research or teaching.

About 100 brains reported missing from a University of Texas research lab were actually destroyed about 12 years ago because they were in poor condition.

The university has released a statement saying a preliminary investigation found that environmental workers disposed of the brains after faculty members concluded the specimens weren't suitable for research or teaching purposes.

The university says workers disposed of between 40 and 60 jars, some of which contained multiple brains.

One of the missing preserved brains was believed to have belonged to Charles Whitman, who fatally shot 16 people from the university's clock tower in 1966.

But the school says there's no evidence any specimens came from Whitman.

The Austin State Hospital transferred the jars to the university about 28 years ago.


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