Lorraine Williamson
The son of Mango founder Isak Andic has been detained in Catalonia as the investigation into the billionaire businessman’s fatal mountain fall takes a major new turn.
Jonathan Andic, 45, was detained on Tuesday, May 19, in connection with the death of his father, who died in December 2024 after falling from a cliff while hiking near Barcelona. The case was first treated as a tragic accident, but Catalan police later began investigating it as a possible homicide.
RTVE reported that Jonathan Andic was taken to the Martorell court to give evidence before the judge handling the case. He had earlier given a statement at police facilities after being arrested by officers from the Mossos d’Esquadra’s criminal investigation division.
What readers need to know
Isak Andic, the founder of the Spanish fashion chain Mango, died during a hike near the Caves of Salnitre in Collbató, close to the Montserrat mountain area. His son was with him at the time and was the only direct witness to the fall.
The investigation remains under judicial secrecy, meaning many details have not been made public. Jonathan Andic has not been convicted of any offence, and his family has stressed that he has cooperated fully with the authorities.
From accident to possible homicide inquiry
Andic’s death shocked Spain’s business world when it was announced in December 2024.
At first, the incident was understood to be a mountain accident. According to AP, police opened an investigation, closed it a few weeks later, then reopened it in March 2025. By October, Catalan police confirmed the death was being investigated as a possible homicide.
RTVE said the judge at Martorell’s Court of Instruction number 5 reopened the case after new investigative steps were requested by the Mossos. The Spanish broadcaster reported that investigators had focused on alleged inconsistencies in Jonathan Andic’s earlier statements.
The family has rejected any implication of guilt. A family spokesperson told Reuters that Jonathan Andic’s cooperation “has been and will remain total”, and repeated the family’s confidence in his innocence.
The fall that shocked Spain’s fashion industry
Isak Andic was 71 when he died.
He was hiking with family members near Barcelona when he fell more than 100 metres from a cliff, according to Reuters. AP reported the fall as around 150 metres.
RTVE reported that the incident happened while Isak and Jonathan were hiking near the Caves of Salnitre in Collbató. Jonathan reportedly told investigators he was walking a few steps ahead, heard a slip, and then alerted the emergency services.
The precise circumstances of the fall are now at the centre of the court investigation.
Why the case is drawing global attention
The case has become international news because of Isak Andic’s status as one of Spain’s most prominent business figures.
Born in Istanbul, he moved to Catalonia in the 1960s and founded Mango in 1984. The Barcelona-based fashion group grew into one of Spain’s best-known global brands, often compared with Zara because of its international reach.
Mango now operates in around 120 markets and has thousands of stores worldwide. AP reported that the group’s revenue reached nearly €3.8 billion in 2025, while Reuters said the company declined to comment on the latest development in the investigation.
Jonathan Andic is the eldest of Isak Andic’s three children and serves as vice-chairman of Mango’s board.
A case still under judicial secrecy
For now, the investigation remains confidential.
That means the public picture is incomplete, and any reporting must be treated carefully. The key confirmed facts are that Jonathan Andic has been detained, the death is being investigated by the Catalan authorities, and the case is before a court in Martorell.
It is also important to stress that detention is not a conviction. The Spanish legal process will now determine what happens next.
Spain watches as a business dynasty faces court scrutiny
The arrest marks a sharp escalation in a case that began as the sudden death of one of Spain’s most successful entrepreneurs.
For Mango, the story carries emotional and reputational weight. For Spain, it has become a high-profile investigation involving wealth, family, business succession and a mountain fall that is no longer being treated as a simple accident.
The coming days may bring more clarity. Until then, the case remains one of Spain’s most closely watched investigations.