Isak Andic, founder of the Mango clothing chain

Police in Spain have said their investigation into the death last year The case of Mango clothing chain founder Isak Andic remains open, amid multiple Spanish media reports saying his son has become a suspect. Andic, 71, died in December after falling more than 300 feet while hiking with his eldest son Jonathan in the Montserrat mountains near Barcelona.

Police initially considered the death accidental, but are now investigating Jonathan for possible homicide, Spain’s leading newspaper El País reported Thursday, citing “different sources with knowledge of the investigation.”

The family rejected any suggestion of responsibility by Andic’s son, stating in a statement quoted by the Reuters news agency that they “will continue to cooperate, as they have done until now, with the competent authorities. Furthermore, they trust that this process will be concluded as soon as possible and that Jonathan Andic’s innocence will be proven.”

Jonathan, who was the only person who was with his father at the time of the incident, has provided “inconsistent” testimony in two statements, which has “fueled suspicions,” authorities said, according to El País and other media.

Jonathan Andic is listed as Vice Chairman of the Mango Board on the company’s website. His duties have included “supervision of the Communication and Image department and responsibility for the group’s Interior Design and Works Department.”

Catalan regional police sources confirmed that an investigation was still ongoing, the French news agency News said, although it declined to provide further details, citing judicial secrecy laws.

Barcelona newspaper La Vanguardia, also citing sources familiar with the investigation, said the investigating judge formally changed Jonathan’s status from witness to suspect in late September, and that police were closely examining the contents of his mobile phone.

The newspapers said police cited testimony from Isak Andic’s partner, professional golfer Estefania Knuth, who described strained relations between father and son.

The path that Isak Andic and his son walked links the Salnitre caves in Collbato with the Montserrat monastery and is a relatively easy route that is popular with families at weekends.

Isak Andic, born in Istanbul, was one of the richest people in Spain; Forbes estimated his and his family’s net worth at $4.5 billion. Mango reported revenue in 2024 alone of nearly $4 billion.

Andic opened its first store in Barcelona in 1984. Its Mango brand quickly spread throughout Spain and became one of the world’s leading fashion groups.

The company offers both professional and casual styles and has a presence in more than 120 markets, with more than 16,400 employees worldwide, according to its website.

In:

• Fashion
• Murder
• Spain