The death of Mango founder Isak Andic shocked the fashion world back in 2024, but nearly a year and a half later, the case has taken a dramatic and unexpected turn. Spanish authorities have now arrested his eldest son, Jonathan Andic, in connection with the billionaire businessman’s death during a hiking trip near Barcelona. What was initially believed to be a tragic accident is now being investigated as a possible homicide, and the developments surrounding the case have left many stunned.
Jonathan Andic, who currently serves as vice chairman of Mango, was reportedly the only person with his father when the incident happened. Since then, questions around the case have continued to grow quietly in the background, eventually leading investigators to reopen the file months after it had first been closed. Here is all we know so far about the ongoing investigation.
Isak Andic, founder of the global Spanish fashion chain Mango, died in December 2024 after falling from a cliff while hiking in the Montserrat mountains near Barcelona. Reports at the time stated that the 71-year-old businessman had fallen nearly 500 feet in an area known for steep drops and rocky terrain. Authorities initially treated the incident as an accident, believing he may have slipped during the hike.
Jonathan Andic, his eldest son, had been hiking alone with him and was the sole witness present at the scene. The case was briefly investigated before being closed in early 2025 after officials said there was no immediate sign of criminal activity. At the time, Mango and the family publicly mourned the businessman, who had built one of Europe’s biggest fast-fashion empires from a single shop in Barcelona.
Months later however, the investigation quietly reopened. According to multiple reports from Spain, authorities began taking another look at the case after noticing alleged inconsistencies in Jonathan’s statements regarding the day of the incident. Catalonia’s regional police force, along with prosecutors and the court, reportedly reopened the inquiry around October 2025.
Since then, investigators have remained largely silent publicly due to judicial secrecy laws in Spain, but local reports claimed Jonathan’s phone had been seized during the probe. Police officially confirmed the death was now being examined as a potential homicide, though details surrounding what exactly triggered the renewed suspicion have not fully been disclosed.
This week, Jonathan Andic was arrested and escorted to court in handcuffs in Martorell, near Barcelona, where the case is being handled. After appearing before the judge and answering questions through his lawyer, he was released after posting bail reportedly worth one million euros. Authorities have clarified that he has not formally been convicted of any crime, and investigations are still ongoing.
Sources close to the family have strongly defended Jonathan and insisted they have “total confidence” in his innocence. Those close to the Andics reportedly stated there is no legitimate evidence linking him to wrongdoing and expressed belief that the investigation will eventually clear him completely. Jonathan himself has continued maintaining that his father’s death was accidental.
The case has also drawn attention because of reported tensions within the family and business. Spanish media reports suggested that Isak Andic and Jonathan allegedly had disagreements over the younger Andic’s role within Mango over the years. Jonathan had reportedly been given greater operational responsibility at one point before his father later stepped back in during difficult business periods.
There were also reports of financial disagreements connected to Isak Andic’s estate after his death. His longtime partner, professional golfer Estefania Knuth, was reportedly involved in disputes regarding inheritance matters with the billionaire’s children. None of these reported tensions however prove criminal involvement, and investigators have not publicly connected them directly to the case.
The story has especially captured attention because of who Isak Andic was. Born in Turkiye before later moving to Spain, he founded Mango in 1984 and transformed it into one of the world’s biggest fashion retailers. Today, the brand operates thousands of stores across more than 100 markets worldwide and generates billions in annual revenue.
At the time of his death, Forbes estimated Isak Andic’s fortune at around $4.5 billion. He was widely regarded as one of Spain’s most influential retail businessmen, helping turn Mango into a global fashion name over decades. His sudden death already shocked the industry, but the latest developments surrounding his son have made the case even more closely watched.
For now, many questions still remain unanswered. Authorities in Spain have continued keeping much of the investigation confidential, meaning the public still does not know what evidence or concerns led police to arrest Jonathan Andic after initially treating the case as an accident. As the investigation continues, the case has now shifted from a tragic family loss to one of the most talked about business and crime stories coming out of Spain this year.
Sources: AP News, New York Times, Arab News