Someone stole a human leg from an organ donation organization’s van in downtown Los Angeles Monday morning while the limb’s caretakers were having breakfast at a diner.
The leg was in the care of OneLegacy, a non-profit which handles organ transportation for the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. Via CBS:
As employees of the non-profit stopped at the Original Pantry Cafe in downtown Los Angeles for a meal at around 5 a.m. Monday, a thief broke into their unmarked van and stole a cooler containing the leg. The leg was wrapped up, a source said, making it possible the thieves did not know they were stealing a human body part.
OneLegacy said it notified the donor’s family and is taking a look at its security measures in the wake of the theft.
Didn’t now they stole a human leg, eh? Well, now that has to have been one very surprised thief.
The coroner’s office released the following statement on Wednesday: The Office of Medical Examiner-Coroner is aware of-and distressed by-the theft of a body part after its transfer from the County to One Legacy, our organ and tissue procurement organization. This harvesting was done with the permission of the next of kin. At this time, as we continue to gather details, the department will have no additional comment.”