The son and heir of the billionaire founder of Mango, Isak Andic, is being probed as a suspect in the fashion tycoon’s de@th after he plunged from a cliff last year while the pair were out hiking.
Isak, 71, d!ed unexpectedly on Dec. 14, 2024, following “an accident,” Mango CEO Toni Ruiz said in a previously released statement.
He’d been out hiking with his eldest son Jonathan, 44, in the Montserrat mountains near Barcelona when he fell more than 320 feet to his death, according to U.K. newspaper The Times.
The father and son had allegedly been walking along the path of Les Feixades, which is a popular hiking route that families take daily, when the tragedy occurred, per the outlet.
Jonathan, who was walking ahead, had heard the sound of falling stones behind them before he turned around to see his father fall off a cliff in an unfenced section of the trail, per The Times. The path of Les Feixades is around three miles long and links the Salnitre caves in Collbato with the Montserrat monastery.
Police initially ruled the de@th accidental, but alleged that inconsistencies in Jonathan’s testimonies had now prompted a judicial review, the publication and Spanish outlet El Periódico reported.
According to Spanish newspaper El País, the investigation has now shifted from a mountain accident to a possible homicide, according to a translated article.
Jonathan’s status has also been changed from witness to suspect, El Periódico reported, citing sources familiar with the investigation.
The Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalonia police) will now look further at evidence, including at the content on Jonathan’s cell phone, per the newspaper. However, police sources told the outlet that “the main hypothesis they are working with is that it was an accident, as they have found no evidence to the contrary,” according to the translated article.
A Mossos d’Esquadra spokesperson told PEOPLE in an email, “The investigation is under judicial review and is subject to secrecy of proceedings.”
Family representatives have maintained Jonathan’s innocence, saying in a statement, per Reuters, “The Andic family has not commented, and will not comment, on Isak Andic’s death. It wishes to show respect for the ongoing proceedings and will continue co-operating fully with the authorities.
The family is confident that this process will end soon and that Jonathan Andic’s innocence will be proven.”
Jonathan is listed as the Vice-Chairman of the Board on the Mango Fashion Group website.
The statement previously released by Mango CEO Toni Ruiz did not specify how Isak d!ed.
“It is with deep regret that we announce the unexpected death of Isak Andic, our non-executive chairman and founder of Mango, in an accident that occurred this Saturday,” Ruiz wrote at the time.
“Isak has been an example for all of us. He dedicated his life to Mango, leaving an indelible mark thanks to his strategic vision, his inspiring leadership and his unwavering commitment to values that he himself imbued in our company,” Ruiz continued.
“His legacy reflects the achievements of a business project marked by success, and also by his human quality, his proximity and the care and affection that he always had and at all times conveyed to the entire organization.”
