The investigation into the death of Mango founder Isak Andic has taken another dramatic turn after his longtime partner, Estefanía Knuth, testified that the billionaire businessman was preparing a new will that would have significantly reduced the inheritance left to his three children.
Knuth’s testimony, delivered before a judge in Martorell, near Barcelona, adds new details to an already complex criminal investigation into the death of one of Spain’s wealthiest entrepreneurs. Prosecutors continue to examine whether Andic’s fatal fall during a hiking trip in December 2024 was a tragic accident or the result of foul play.
Estefanía Knuth Describes Strained Family Relationship
Knuth, 53, was Isak Andic’s partner during the final six years of his life and described their relationship as serious enough that they had planned to marry. During nearly two hours of testimony, she painted a picture of a father and son whose relationship experienced repeated periods of reconciliation and conflict. According to Knuth, the biggest source of tension centered on the leadership of Mango and the company’s future.
She recalled that in 2014, Andic stepped away from day-to-day management of the global fashion retailer, leaving control to his eldest son, Jonathan, while he embarked on an extended sailing journey aboard his yacht, Nirvana.
© Europa Press via Getty ImagesHowever, after Mango’s financial performance declined, Andic returned approximately one year later to resume leadership. Knuth testified that Jonathan was deeply affected by his father’s decision to return, believing it reflected a lack of confidence in his ability to run the business.
Planned Foundation Could Have Changed the Family Fortune
Perhaps the most significant revelation from Knuth’s testimony involved what she claimed was Andic’s intention to rewrite his estate plans. According to multiple reports, Knuth told the judge that Andic was preparing a new will that “would change everything.”
© Europa Press via Getty ImagesRather than leaving the vast majority of his fortune directly to his children, Knuth alleged the Mango founder wanted to establish a charitable foundation that would direct a substantial portion of his wealth toward philanthropic causes. Such a move would have significantly reduced the inheritance expected by his three children: Jonathan, Judith, and Sarah.
Jonathan Andic’s legal team strongly disputes those claims.
During cross-examination, defense lawyers questioned Knuth extensively about the proposed foundation, including how it would operate, how it would be funded, and its intended mission. Knuth acknowledged she could not answer those questions because Andic had never discussed those details with her.
Homicide Investigation Continues
The case began after Isak Andic died on December 14, 2024, while hiking with Jonathan on the Camí de les Feixades trail on Montserrat. According to investigators, Andic fell nearly 100 meters into a ravine and died instantly from his injuries.
© Getty ImagesInitially treated as an accidental death, the investigation later shifted after authorities identified inconsistencies in Jonathan Andic’s account of the incident. Combined with testimony describing ongoing family tensions and potential financial motives, investigators ultimately opened a homicide investigation.
In May 2025, Jonathan Andic was arrested and later released after posting €1 million bail while the investigation continues. Authorities have emphasized that the case remains based largely on circumstantial evidence. There are no eyewitnesses to the fatal fall and no direct physical evidence establishing whether Andic slipped accidentally or was pushed.
Family Therapy Was Meant to Repair Their Relationship
Despite describing years of conflict, Knuth also testified that father and son had made meaningful progress before Andic’s death. She said she encouraged the family to participate in therapy together and introduced them to an Ecuadorian-German psychoanalysis specialist based in Barcelona.
© Europa Press via Getty ImagesAccording to her testimony, the counseling sessions helped improve the relationship between Isak and Jonathan in the months leading up to the fatal hiking trip. That detail could complicate competing narratives presented by both prosecutors and the defense regarding the family’s dynamics shortly before Andic died.
Dispute Over the Estate Added New Tensions
Following Andic’s death, Knuth discovered that his most recent notarized will, signed in July 2023, divided his fortune equally among his three children. At the time, Forbes estimated Andic’s wealth at approximately €4.5 billion.
Knuth was left €5 million under that will, an amount similar to what Andic reportedly left several longtime employees.
© Getty ImagesBelieving she deserved substantially more, Knuth sought a larger financial settlement and reportedly prepared legal action seeking approximately €70 million.
After lengthy negotiations, the parties reached an agreement before Jonathan’s arrest. Under the settlement, Knuth ultimately received €27 million, consisting of the original €5 million inheritance plus an additional €22 million settlement.
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