$10,000 reward posted to find who stole kidney from display

Nearly a week after someone walked away with a plasticized kidney from the "Bodies ... The Exhibition" show, the people responsible for the exhibit's national tour are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the organ's return and the prosecution of the thief.

"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 palm-sized kidney was taken Sunday afternoon from the 800 Pike building.

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 natural 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.

Sunday was one of the show's busiest days to date, with roughly 5,000 people visiting the exhibition, LaBelle said. He estimated that 1,000 visitors were inside the exhibit area just before 2:30 p.m. when the kidney was swiped from the touch booth — where people can handle a human brain, heart and other organs.

Though there are surveillance cameras inside the building, the 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