A British interpreter has told investigators that she accompanied Jonathan Andic on a reconnaissance walk in Montserrat a week before his father’s fatal fall in December 2024. Her account challenges statements Jonathan had previously made to police and the court, renewing scrutiny of the investigation into the death of Isak Andic, founder of Mango, who died on 14 December 2024 after falling during a hike near Collbató, Barcelona.
The interpreter, identified as Jo, voluntarily approached the Mossos d’Esquadra in late June 2026. She said she had accompanied Jonathan along the Camí de les Feixades on 7 December 2024, a detail he had not disclosed in his testimonies, despite being questioned about visits to the area before his father’s death. Jonathan was reportedly the only person accompanying his father on the fatal hike, and the fall was reported to have involved a drop of more than 100 metres.
Jo’s involvement stemmed from occasional work as an English translator and assistant for Julia Lüderwaldt, a family therapist who had treated the Andic family. Lüderwaldt had asked Jo to help select a challenging mountain route for a therapy session between Jonathan and his father, who had a history of intermittent conflict. Jo said the path leading to the Montserrat monastery was intended as the setting for an “extreme confrontation” exercise.
Jo said Jonathan did not mention his father or their relationship during the walk. He commented only that the route seemed suitable and that he might return with his niece. Jonathan had previously told investigators that he scouted the route alone and that friends had recommended it. He also said his father’s demanding nature meant he had to prepare excursions thoroughly.
The case is being investigated by the Martorell court under Judge Raquel Nieto. The Mossos d’Esquadra are examining whether the death was accidental or involved another person. Investigators have considered Jonathan’s reported movements and earlier visits to the route; his defense disputes the number of visits and the evidence supporting them. Jo’s account adds another point of dispute over what happened during the earlier reconnaissance walk.
Jonathan was arrested and formally investigated for alleged homicide on 19 May 2026. Judge Nieto ordered provisional detention, which could be avoided by paying €1 million in bail. The payment was made, allowing him to remain free as the investigation continues. He denies causing his father’s death and says they had a positive relationship. The case remains at the investigative stage, with no final judicial finding of guilt.
The defense says Jonathan did not mention Jo to protect her from involvement and argues that he was never directly asked whether anyone had accompanied him on his scouting trips. His lawyers, Cristóbal Martell and Sebastián de Juan, have also urged caution in interpreting procedural information and pointed to what they describe as inaccuracies in Jo’s account.
Jo’s statement has renewed attention on Lüderwaldt, who is among the witnesses connected to the investigation. The court has scheduled testimony from 33 additional witnesses over nine hearing days between 26 October and 23 November 2026. The listed witnesses include Grupo Planeta president José Creuheras, Mango chief executive Toni Ruiz, senior executive Daniel López, detective Francisco Estructura and lawyer Miquel Roca. The hearings are intended to help determine whether the evidence warrants sending Jonathan to trial.
The prosecution, led in the case by Teresa Yoldi, has reportedly linked its homicide theory to alleged disputes between Jonathan and his father over inheritance. The court’s inquiry also covers family relationships and the circumstances surrounding the Montserrat outing. The witness schedule includes people connected to the family and business, as well as professionals involved in the investigation.
Medical evidence is another point of contention. A defense submission has focused on Isak Andic’s documented treatment for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, which the defense argues may support the possibility of an accidental fall. Police reporting, but, says investigators found no indication that a health problem caused the fall and considered Andic to have been in good physical condition. The Mossos mountain unit conducted analysis that included tests and simulations, but did not establish the precise mechanism of the fall. Its reported conclusion was that investigators could not determine what caused the fall or whether another person participated in the events leading to Andic’s death.
The development comes amid other high-profile legal cases in Spain, where unexpected witnesses and procedural details can affect the course of investigations. In another recent case, a Santander court moved forward with charges after new evidence surfaced in an attack on PSOE headquarters, illustrating how fresh testimony can affect judicial proceedings.
Montserrat, a mountain range near Barcelona, is a popular destination for tourists and locals, known for its trails and religious significance. The case has drawn attention because of the Andic family’s prominence in Catalonia’s business community and the circumstances of the fatal fall. The interpreter’s account and the defense’s objections remain central, alongside evidence examined in the ongoing proceedings.
