Mystery in Montserrat: Police Probe Possible Homicide in the Death of Mango Founder Isak Andic

Catalan police intensify their investigation exploring whether the Spanish fashion magnate’s death was a tragic accident or a potential homicide.
main gate of a Mango Shop main gate of a Mango Shop

Nearly a year after the death of Isak Andic, the billionaire founder of Mango, Catalan police continue to investigate whether his fall in the Montserrat mountains was a tragic accident — or the result of foul play.
What began as a routine hike has evolved into one of Spain’s most high-profile investigations, involving family tension, inheritance disputes, and unanswered questions.

A Fatal Fall in the Montserrat Mountains

On the morning of December 14, 2024, Isak Andic, 71, set out on a hike with his eldest son, Jonathan Andic, along a scenic route near Collbató, just outside Barcelona.
By afternoon, rescue teams discovered his body at the base of a rocky escarpment — a fall of roughly 100 to 150 metres. Initial reports classified the incident as an accidental fall.

However, by September 2025, after months of forensic review and witness questioning, the investigating judge changed Jonathan’s status from witness to person under formal investigation in a possible homicide case.

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Conflicting Testimony Fuels Suspicion

Police sources from the Mossos d’Esquadra initially leaned toward an accidental death. But discrepancies in Jonathan’s statements prompted further investigation.

Authorities analyzed GPS data, mobile phone records, and WhatsApp communications from Andic’s corporate device to reconstruct the moments before the fall.
According to reports, Jonathan’s early statement contained “inconsistencies and vagueness,” later compounded when his version of events — including where the car had been parked — failed to match physical evidence.

While no direct falsehoods have been proven, the contradictions have kept the investigation active.

Investigators also questioned Estefanía Knuth, Andic’s partner of six years and the first person Jonathan contacted after the fall. She described that morning as normal but acknowledged long-standing tensions between father and son regarding Mango’s leadership succession.

Family Tensions and Fortune Disputes

The investigation unfolds against a backdrop of family conflict and inheritance litigation. In July 2023, Andic’s will named his three children — Jonathan, Judith, and Sarah — as equal heirs.
However, Knuth later contested the settlement, seeking more than €70 million based on partnership rights, further complicating family relations.

Internal disagreements had also surfaced at Mango’s corporate level. In 2015, Andic reportedly criticized management — including his son — for “losing the brand’s essence.” After financial setbacks, he returned to active control, limiting Jonathan’s leadership role.
Investigators consider this family-business tension a possible contextual factor, though they stress there is no direct evidence linking it to his death.

Police Reconstruct the Incident

Under judicial supervision, the Mossos have revisited the accident site multiple times. Using mountain units and rope simulations, they tested how one could fall from the trail — a route not generally regarded as dangerous.
Forensic teams are still analyzing Jonathan’s phone data, GPS logs, and call histories, as well as Andic’s corporate communications.

The inquiry remains judicially sealed, limiting details available to the public. So far, no official charges have been filed, but the possible homicide angle remains open.

The Road Ahead

Once the investigation concludes, the Martorell Court will decide whether to formally charge Jonathan Andic or close the case as an accident. The public prosecutor will then assess the evidence and issue a recommendation.

Meanwhile, the Andic family has reaffirmed its confidence in Jonathan’s innocence and pledged full cooperation with authorities.
Mango continues to thrive globally, with stores in over 120 countries, a lasting testament to Isak Andic’s legacy in the world of fashion and entrepreneurship.

As questions linger, the Montserrat mountains remain silent witnesses. Whether this tragedy was a fatal misstep or something far more sinister, the mystery endures — and so does the legacy of Mango’s enigmatic founder.

🟦 Key Facts at a Glance

  • Victim: Isak Andic, 71, founder and former chairman of Mango
  • Date: December 14, 2024
  • Location: Montserrat range, near Barcelona
  • Circumstance: Fell 100–150 metres while hiking with son Jonathan
  • Initial Ruling: Accidental; reclassified as potential homicide in March 2025
  • Primary Focus: Jonathan Andic, only witness and person under investigation
  • Main Evidence: Site reconstructions, digital forensics, inheritance context
  • Status: Investigation ongoing; no charges filed as of October 2025

Information Source:

https://elpais.com/espana/catalunya

Photo Attribution:

Mango Mannheim (O6) by Wegavision, Mannheim, Germany — public domain (CC0 1.0).

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