that read: 'Sorry for the smell'

Neighbors say smell was so bad they have been unable to sleep at night

Young couple were clearing the property when they noticed a foot

A young couple moving into their first New York apartment together were horrified to discover a dead body wrapped up in a shower curtain - along with a note from his killer.

The 18-year-olds, who have not been named, made the grisly discovery after they noticed a terrible smell coming from a cupboard, NY Daily reports.

When they went to investigate they found the rotting corpse of the apartment's former tenant.

Ex-con Sidney Harris, 64, was found wrapped in a plastic shower curtain and blankets inside his Arthur Avenue home, in the Bronx at about 9.40pm on Monday.

Ex-con Sidney Harris, 64, (picture left, in a police mugshot, and right) was found wrapped in a plastic shower curtain and blankets

Next to the body was a note, left by the killer, apologizing 'for the smell.'

Authorities have not determined how long Harris' body had lay at the property but neighbors had reported that the stench emanating from the apartment was so bad they had been unable to sleep at night.

An autopsy revealed Harris had died of multiple skull fractures from repeated blows to the head.

Another tenant, thought to be the building manager, told police that he had decided to rent out the apartment after he had not seen the tenant for some time. He believed that the 64-year-old was at the hospital and 'wouldn't be back,' police sources said.

A young couple moving into their first New York apartment, in Arthur Avenue, (pictured) made the grisly discovery after they noticed a terrible smell coming from a cupboard

He offered the apartment to the couple, both 18, on the condition they agreed to clean it out.

They had been clearing his possessions away when they discovered a foot sticking out from what they took to be a pile of blankets in a cupboard.

Investigators also discovered blood in the apartment. Police are now hunting the killer.