A Spanish judge has ordered Mango co-owner Jonathan Andic to post a €1 million (US$1.16 million) bail, citing his contradictory accounts of his father's fatal fall and evidence of a rift over money and inheritance. The ruling, reviewed by Bloomberg News, stated there were 'sufficient indications' that the death of 71-year-old Mango founder Isak Andic in December 2024 'could be a non-accidental death,' with 'active and premeditated participation' by his son.
Background of the Case
Isak Andic, a billionaire who started the clothing retailer in 1984, fell over 100 meters off a cliff while hiking with his son in the Montserrat mountain nature reserve near Barcelona. Jonathan was detained and taken to court for questioning on Tuesday before being released on bail. The Andic family, worth an estimated €2.54 billion according to El Mundo, and Mango have consistently maintained that the tycoon's death was accidental. Local media reported late last year that the judge had designated Jonathan as an investigated suspect in a possible homicide, though he has not been charged with any crime.
Key Evidence Cited by the Judge
In the bail order, the judge highlighted discrepancies in Jonathan's statements to police and the court, including his location during the hike, whether his father was using his phone, and whether he could see him fall. Data from Jonathan's car and traffic cameras showed he had visited the area several times in the week leading to the fall, contrary to his claim of having been there only 'about two weeks earlier.' Forensic reports concluded that marks at the scene were inconsistent with a simple accidental slip.
The order also pointed to WhatsApp messages that allegedly showed longstanding tensions between father and son over money. According to the judge, the messages revealed Jonathan had an 'obsession' with money and had asked his father for an early inheritance, which Isak conceded to maintain cordial relations. Investigators believe Jonathan became aware in mid-2024 that Andic planned to change his will and create a charitable foundation, allegedly triggering a 'notable' change in his behavior toward reconciliation.
Additional Suspicious Circumstances
The order noted that Jonathan changed phones in March 2025 and erased the contents of his previous device. The earlier phone disappeared during a two-day trip to Ecuador under 'strange circumstances,' and police were unable to verify the alleged theft or loss. The judge ordered provisional detention and took Jonathan's passport, citing a risk of flight due to the seriousness of the alleged offense and his financial means. Jonathan avoided prison by paying the bail and must report to court weekly.
Defense and Family Response
Jonathan denies any wrongdoing. His lawyers said Tuesday that the 'homicide theory is unfounded' and 'stigmatizes an innocent man.' The family also defended him, stating that 'there is no legitimate evidence against him, nor will any be found.' Jonathan, 45, is now the main owner of the retail chain along with his two sisters.
