The first virgin that hatches kills the rest.
The queen cells were not on the top. I was wondering, since it has been very dry by us and blooms are scarce, that they may need more pollen protein so they are attacking and ingesting larvae? I may try to put out a pollen substitute. Jenny.could be the queen cell attached to the top bar of the box below that was tore in 1/2 when you pulled it apart.
seen one with 7 Q cells last year where 5 were torn in 1/2 when the hive bodies were separated.
GG