The mystery of missing brains in Texas solved: They were thrown out in 2002

The case of the missing brains in Texas has been solved: They were never missing at all, but were disposed of by the University of Texas in 2002.

The University made the announcement Wednesday following reports that some 100 brain specimens dating back to the 1950s had gone missing - perhaps, one professor suggested, swiped by student pranksters.

The brains, used as teaching tools, came from to all sorts of people, according to the Austin-American Statesman, most of whom are unknown. One brain, the paper reported, was that of Charles Whitman, the sniper who climbed the 307-foot Texas clock tower in Austin in 1966 and unleashed a barrage of gunfire, taking the lives of 16 people and injuring many others.

The brains, preserved in jars, were among 200 that originally belonged to the Austin State Hospital, which transferred them to the university about 28 years ago, the paper said. Once called the Texas State Lunatic Asylum, the hospital kept the brains of some patients as far back as the 1950s.

According to Wednesday's statement, university environmental health and safety officials 'disposed of multiple brain specimens in approximately 2002 in accordance with protocols concerning biological waste.' The statement added: 'This was done in coordination with faculty members who determined that the specimens had been in poor condition when the university received them in the 1980s and were not suitable for research or teaching. Faculty members then maintained possession of other brain specimens in the collection that the university continues to own.'

And by the way: 'We have no evidence at this time that any of the brain specimens came from Charles Whitman, though we will continue to investigate those reports.'

For those interested in the brains that were not thrown out, see these photos by Adam Voorhes and the accompanying article by The Washington Post's Nicole Crowder.

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