A man and woman were found dead in their bed by an employee in Butterworth, Eastern Cape police said on Saturday.

"A 40-year-old man and his girlfriend were found murdered on Friday at Mzantsi Locality, Sihlabeni Village, Ngqamakhwe, said Captain Jackson Manatha.

According to Manatha the couple were found in a pool of blood by an employee at 10am.

"The man was found with bullet wounds on his upper body while the girlfriend whose age is not yet known was found bleeding profusely from her nose and mouth," said Manatha.

They are believed to have been murdered on Thursday night.

No arrests have been made and the motive for the murder was not yet known.