A British witness told police that the Andic family's therapy included a risky mountain scenario. She helped plan the Montserrat route and visited the area with Jonathan Andic days before Isak Andic's death.
A British woman who occasionally worked with the Andic family's therapist has provided a statement to the Mossos d'Esquadra that could reshape the investigation into the death of Isak Andic. According to her account, the therapy designed for Isak and his son Jonathan included a deliberately extreme experience in a mountain ravine, a detail that had not previously surfaced in the case.
The incident occurred on December 14, 2024, during a hike in Montserrat, Barcelona, where Isak Andic, founder of Mango, died while alone with his son. Until now, it was believed the two had gone hiking to discuss personal issues. However, the new testimony, first reported by La Vanguardia and confirmed by case sources, suggests the outing was part of a structured therapeutic exercise intended to confront father and son with a high-stress situation.
The witness, who resides in Spain, told police she was asked by Julia Lüderwaldt, the family's therapist, to find a suitable mountain route for this purpose. She selected the Camí de les Feixades and accompanied Jonathan Andic to the area on December 7, one week before the fatal incident. Investigators had already established, using license plate readers and location data, that Jonathan had visited the route at least twice in the days leading up to his father's death. Jonathan reportedly wanted to familiarize himself with the path before taking his father there.
During her statement at the Martorell police station, the woman explained that the therapist's instructions were clear: the goal was to place both men in a situation that would push their limits. She described how Jonathan was supposed to be brought "to the edge of a precipice" to provoke an intense emotional response. The witness, who had previously worked with Julia Lüderwaldt on cases involving foreign clients, expressed concern that her involvement might be misinterpreted by authorities. Her decision to come forward was prompted by reports that the judge was considering the possible involvement of third parties in the case.
She provided police with text messages and audio files exchanged with the therapist, documenting the planning of the excursion. The Mossos d'Esquadra continue to investigate whether the events in Montserrat were a tragic accident, as the defense claims, or if there is evidence pointing to homicide or even murder, as outlined in the judicial orders of Judge Raquel Nieto. The secrecy of the proceedings was lifted on May 19, following Jonathan Andic's arrest, and the investigation has since expanded to include additional witness statements.
This case has drawn significant attention in Catalonia, not only due to the prominence of the Andic family but also because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the therapy and the fatal outcome. The involvement of a therapist in orchestrating a high-risk scenario is rare in Spain and has raised questions about the boundaries of psychological intervention. For context, Catalan police have recently handled other high-profile investigations, such as the violent death of a woman in Soses, Lleida, which also required careful examination of witness testimony and forensic evidence. Details of that case can be found in this report on a separate Mossos d'Esquadra investigation.
Montserrat, a popular destination for hikers and pilgrims, is known for its challenging terrain and sudden weather changes. While accidents do occur, the combination of family conflict, therapy, and a fatal incident has made this case particularly complex. The outcome of the investigation may influence future guidelines for therapeutic practices involving high-risk activities in Spain. As the judicial process continues, the focus remains on clarifying whether the tragedy was the result of a planned therapeutic exercise gone wrong or if criminal responsibility is involved.
