Investigators in Manhattan found the body of a 25-year-old man who was sought in connection with a series of attacks on Asian women and had apparently hanged himself, the police said.

The man’s body was found inside an elevator shaft in the basement of 766 Madison Avenue, near 66th Street, on the Upper East Side around 3 p.m. Monday after tenants reported a mysterious smell, the police said. Officials said it was so far unclear how many days he had been there.

A police official identified the man as Tyrelle D. Shaw, whom detectives were seeking in connection to the assaults this month in Manhattan. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the police had not yet notified the man’s relatives.

Mr. Shaw’s relatives went to the police last week after seeing surveillance video released by the police. They had been concerned about recent posts on his blog describing his infatuation with Asian women, claiming responsibility for the attacks and outlining his intention to end his life, officials said.