The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963, remains one of the most scrutinized events in American history. While official reports claim that Kennedy was shot by a lone gunman, Lee Harvey Oswald, the disappearance of JFK’s brain from the National Archives has fueled speculation that crucial evidence was stolen, switched, or destroyed to hide the truth. With the recent release of declassified documents, new questions have emerged about whether Kennedy’s brain was removed to cover up ballistic evidence of multiple shooters.
What Happened to JFK’s Brain?
The Official Story
Kennedy’s autopsy was conducted at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland on the night of the assassination. According to the official autopsy report:
- Kennedy’s brain was removed for further examination.
- The brain was stored in a stainless steel container with formaldehyde.
- It was placed in the National Archives for safekeeping along with other medical evidence.
However, in 1966, when government officials reviewed Kennedy’s medical records, his brain and related autopsy materials were missing. The National Archives confirmed that the brain had disappeared, and to this day, it has never been recovered.
Was JFK’s Brain Switched or Stolen?
The missing brain has fueled theories that it was deliberately removed to conceal crucial forensic evidence. Several key factors support this possibility:
1. Autopsy Inconsistencies
- The doctors who conducted Kennedy’s autopsy, including Dr. James Humes, later burned their original notes, raising suspicions of a cover-up.
- Eyewitness accounts from autopsy staff conflict with the official findings, with some claiming that Kennedy’s brain was largely intact when first examined but later described as severely damaged.
- If the original brain contained bullet fragments from multiple directions, this could have disproved the lone gunman theory and proven the existence of multiple shooters.
2. The Ballistic Cover-Up Theory
- If Kennedy was shot from more than one direction, his brain would have contained entry and exit wounds inconsistent with Oswald’s position in the Texas School Book Depository.
- Some experts believe that by switching or removing the brain, investigators could prevent forensic analysis that challenged the official narrative.
- The House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) in 1979 concluded that there was a high probability of a second shooter, making the disappearance of the brain even more suspicious.
3. The Robert F. Kennedy Theory
- Some theorists believe that Robert F. Kennedy, JFK’s younger brother and Attorney General, may have ordered the brain’s removal.
- RFK was deeply concerned about government involvement in his brother’s assassination, particularly CIA and mafia connections.
- He may have sought to prevent further exploitation of JFK’s remains or hide evidence of conspiracy that could have destabilized the country.
Newly Declassified Documents: What Do They Reveal?
The latest 2025 declassified records confirm that:
- Certain autopsy photos and X-rays were altered or went missing, adding to concerns about tampering.
- The FBI and CIA monitored medical personnel involved in Kennedy’s autopsy, suggesting a possible effort to control the narrative.
- Witness testimony from the autopsy room indicates that some government officials intervened in how medical evidence was handled.
While no document explicitly confirms that JFK’s brain was switched or stolen, the evidence of manipulation and missing materials strongly suggests deliberate interference.
Conclusion: A Cover-Up That Endures
The disappearance of JFK’s brain remains one of the most enduring mysteries of the assassination. Whether it was switched, stolen, or destroyed, the missing brain raises serious questions about the official narrative and the possibility of a larger conspiracy. The latest declassified files offer new evidence of manipulation, but without the missing brain, the full truth behind Kennedy’s death may never be known.
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