My theory

So I think MDR is actually refining their own personalities to make themselves into an ideal controllable corp slave.

Cold Harbor is essential because it will prove to the board that anyone, even someone who's wife you violently taken from them, can be conditioned.

All the other severed workers were similar tests, Dylan is a failure who can be conditioned to a success, irving is an insurrectionist who can be conditioned to a believer and helly is literally the 1% who think they are already in control...being conditioned to be controlled.

The end result is the board having ultimate control over mankind wirelessly, not limon, not eagans, the board.