Reward offered for missing kidney

At first, they thought it was a simple mistake and hoped the thief would respond to a plea — no questions asked — to return a plasticized kidney that was swiped from the "Bodies ... The Exhibition" show now on display in downtown Seattle.

Nearly a week after the Dec. 30 theft, with no word and no kidney, the people responsible for the exhibit's national tour announced today that they are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the organ's return and the prosecution of whoever stole the palm-sized, polymer-preserved specimen.

"I have no idea what in the world somebody could do with a polymer-preserved kidney. It's one question that's puzzled us," said Josh LaBelle, executive director of the Seattle Theatre Group, which brought the exhibition to Seattle.

The reward is being offered by Premier Exhibitions, the group responsible for the "Bodies" exhibition that has already attracted nearly 2 million visitors since opening in London in 2004. The exhibit, which opened in Seattle in September and will run through April, features 21 whole-body specimens and 250 organs and body parts. The parts are preserved using liquid silicone rubber that prevents decay.

It is believed that the stolen kidney is the first specimen to be taken from the exhibit, which is insured, LaBelle said.

"The kidney is priceless and organizers consider the theft "an assault on the exhibit," LaBelle said.

Dec. 30 was one of the busiest days to date at the 800 Pike building, with roughly 5,000 people visiting the exhibition, LaBelle said. He estimated that 1,000 visitors were inside the exhibit area when the kidney was swiped from the touch booth — where people can handle a human brain, heart, and other organs — just before 2:30 p.m. Though there are surveillance cameras inside the building, the actual theft was not caught on tape, Seattle police spokesman Sean Whitcomb said Friday.

Anyone with information is asked to call Seattle police at 206-625-5011.

Sara Jean Green: 206-515-5654 or sgreen@seattletimes.com