Brain examination

James Walker was found frozen with his brain removed.

Several of Sylar's victims have had their brains removed.

About

Sylar aggressively pursues evolved humans and removes their brains. At present, it's unclear why some victims have encephalectomies and some do not, although most of the victims to have their brains removed have been confirmed (or believed by Sylar) to have special powers. Sylar claims to be able to take the powers of other evolved humans, and removing their brains is probably a part of the process.

When Mohinder and Eden explored Sylar's apartment in New York, one of the items they came across was a medical text expounding upon the process of brain removal.

As seen during Jackie's murder, Sylar uses his powers to split Jackie's head open.

List of Victims with Brains Removed

Sylar preparing a victim

• Possibly Brian Davis, Sylar's first victim, after asking if Sylar could "fix" him; Brian possessed the power of telekinesis, which Sylar has repeatedly demonstrated since the murder. (see Notes)
• Isaac Mendez, in a possible future; Isaac has the power of precognition.
• James Walker, mid-bite while he ate breakfast; James was on Chandra Suresh's list.
• An unidentifed man and an unidentified woman, seen in Mr. Bennet's photos
• Charlie, ironically while aggressively removing the top off a can of food; Charlie had an eidetic memory.
• Jackie Wilcox, in the locker room of Union Wells High School; her skull was cut, but her brain was not actually removed.
  • By taking credit for Claire's rescue at the train wreck, Sylar was fooled into believing she was the one with special powers. Jackie became the victim illustrated in Isaac's prophetic painting.

Notes

• When Mohinder and Eden examined Sylar's apartment, they found (among other things) a medical text that seemingly describes the process of dissecting faces and performing encephalectomies. (One Giant Leap)
• According to Chandra Suresh, if there is a soul, it's in the brain. (Six Months Ago)
• Chandra tells Sylar that the brain controls every action. (Six Months Ago)
• Claire was unable to regenerate until the branch was pulled from her brain. (One Giant Leap, Collision)
• It is unclear whether or not Brian Davis had his brain removed. Sylar (as Gabriel Gray/Gabriel Sylar) hit him from behind with a large crystal, and shortly thereafter acquired the same powers as Brian. We presently do not know how this was accomplished. (Six Months Ago)
• In an interview, Zachary Quinto said, concerning how Sylar absorbs the powers of others, "They haven't told me. The impression I was operating under was he actually ingested them, but I don't know."
• Eden kills herself by shooting herself in the brain, intending to prevent Sylar from gaining her power of persuasion. (Fallout) Indeed, Mr. Bennet confirms that she prevented Sylar from taking her "gift". (Fathers & Daughters) Apparently, the brain must be intact for Sylar to gain the power. James Walker was frozen in mid-bite, which shows that the victim may not have to be alive for Sylar to take their power. (Don't Look Back)

Gallery

• 
  A medical text expounding on the process of brain removal, found in Sylar's apartment
• 
  Isaac Mendez
• 
  Jackie Wilcox
• 
  Charlie
• 
  Mr. Bennet's photo of Charlie
• 
  James Walker
• 
  An unnamed male victim, from Mr. Bennet's photos
• 
  An unnamed female victim, from Mr. Bennet's photos

External Links

• Brain Removal
• Complete Brain Removal (Warning: Very Graphic)
• Cat Brain Removal (Warning: Very Graphic)