Officers Find Blind Man Dead in Elevator Shaft

Police are investigating the death of a blind man whose body was found at the bottom of an elevator shaft in his Bronx apartment building.

The wife of 67-year-old Sheldon Scott reported him missing Thursday afternoon, about four hours after he left to go to the bank.

Officers who searched the building found Scott dead Thursday night in the elevator shaft.

Police said the victim was legally blind.

Neighbors told the New York Times that the elevator is often being repaired.

"The elevators are under contract with a company and are taken out for maintenance during the day," 83-year-old Stanley Lowell told the paper. "They have been here working for weeks, every day."

Buildings Department spokesman Tony Sclafani said inspectors had reported several violations "pertaining to the elevator" since 1991, the Times reported.

An autopsy has been scheduled.