The investigation into the death of Isak Andic, the Jewish founderof fashion giant Mango, has taken a dramatic turn. Originally believed to have died in an accidental fall while hiking with his son, police in Spain are now exploring the possibility of murder.
Andic, a Turkish-born businessman of Sephardic Jewish descent, died on December 14, 2024, during a visit to the Montserrat mountain range near Barcelona. The 71-year-old was on a hike with his eldest son, Jonathan, when he reportedly fell into a ravine. Authorities initially classified the incident as a tragic accident, with no witnesses or visible signs of violence at the scene. A month later, the case was temporarily closed.
However, inconsistencies in Jonathan Andic's account of the events led to the case being reopened in March 2025. Catalonia's Supreme Court confirmed that police were re-examining the circumstances, after forensic reports and new information cast doubt on the original narrative. Jonathan's status in the case was changed from witness to suspect.
Investigators from the Catalonia police force analyzed data from Jonathan's mobile phone, including photos, communications, and geolocation records. These were compared with the physical evidence collected at the scene in Montserrat, revealing discrepancies with his testimony. Spanish media reported that he claimed to have been walking ahead of his father, heard rocks falling, and then turned around to find him gone, a version that police say doesn't align with what was found on-site.
Jonathan was questioned for over three hours, and later summoned for further testimony. According to reports, the contradictions in his statements were key to the shift in the investigation's direction. Police also considered the nature of the father-son relationship as part of their inquiry. Andic's partner, Stephanie Knott, reportedly told investigators that the relationship between Isak and Jonathan was strained, describing it as tense.
In a statement released on behalf of the Andic family, relatives declined to comment on the case but expressed their full cooperation with authorities. "The Andic family has not responded and will not respond regarding the death of Isak Andic. However, they wish to express their respect for the legal proceedings and will continue to collaborate fully with the competent authorities, as they have until now. The family is confident this process will conclude as quickly as possible and that Jonathan will be proven innocent."
Andic founded Mango in 1984 in Barcelona, together with businessman Enric Cusi and his brother, and built it into one of the world's largest fashion retailers, with nearly 3,000 stores in 120 countries and a workforce of 16,400. At the time of his death, his fortune was estimated at $4.5 billion, making him Spain's fifth-richest businessman, according to Le Figaro.
