Tributes paid after Hachette sales executive Melvyn Munyua dies on holiday

Hachette has paid tribute to its “incredibly charming and generous” international sales executive Melvyn Munyua, who has died in a drowning accident.

Dubai-based Munyua, aged 41, died on 20th July after jumping into a river during a hiking trip while on holiday in Oman.

He joined the publisher in 2014, reporting to Joan Wamae, international sales manager in the Middle East and to Matt Cowdery, head of sales for Africa and the Middle East.

Cowdery said: “It was such a pleasure working with Melvyn over the last five years. His passion for our SFF and graphic novel publishing in particular was infectious.

“He was an incredibly charming and generous colleague, fun to be around, hardworking and a great support to Joan in Dubai, to me and to all his friends and colleagues in international sales. 

“Melvyn was a great adventurer and this picture shows him doing what he loved. We are very shocked by the terrible news of his death and we will all really miss him.”