A 24-year-old Pietermaritzburg woman was shot dead allegedly by her boyfriend on Tuesday, KwaZulu-Natal police said.

Superintendent Henry Budhram said the body had multiple gunshot wounds and was found outside a house on Essenwood Drive.

The suspect fled after the murder.

Police were led to another home later where they discovered her boyfriend with a gunshot wound to his head.

He was taken to hospital and was reportedly in a critical condition.

A pistol was recovered at the scene.

Budhram said the motive was believed to be domestically related, and the circumstances surrounding the case were being investigated.