Man pleads not guilty to stealing kidney from "Bodies" exhibit

The kidney was stolen from "Bodies ... The Exhibition" in Seattle in December. (SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT)

The man accused of stealing a preserved kidney from "Bodies ... The Exhibition" in December pleaded not guilty in King County Superior Court this morning.

Tyler Conrad, 26, was charged with first-degree theft earlier this month in connection with the Dec. 30 disappearance of the palm-sized, polymer-preserved kidney from the show at 800 Pike St.

According to the police report, investigators were led to Conrad after witnesses said they had received pictures of the stolen kidney from friends via their cellphones.

Police eventually found the kidney in a clay pot on a bookshelf in Conrad's old bedroom at his mother's house. If there is a conviction, the original tipster is expected to claim the $10,000 reward offered by the exhibit's national tour, according to court documents.

Conrad was released from jail on personal recognizance and is scheduled to return to court March 26.

Natalie Singer: 206-464-2704 or nsinger@seattletimes.com