Andic family therapist denies knowledge of fatal Montserrat excursion
Julia Lüderwaldt broke her silence through her lawyer and denied having knowledge of the outing in which Isak Andic died. Her counsel denounced a "smear campaign" against her.
Family therapist denies involvement in death of Mango founder
Julia Lüderwaldt, therapist to the Andic family, denied on Wednesday having had knowledge of the excursion undertaken by father and son through Montserrat on 14 December 2024, the day on which Isak Andic—founder of Mango—died following a fatal fall. According to ABC, the statement came through her lawyer, Francesc Jufresa, at a press conference held this week.
Jufresa at the same time denounced an "authentic smear campaign" against his client over recent months, fuelled by reports pointing to a possible involvement by Lüderwaldt in the events. The investigating magistrate in the case, who is investigating Jonathan Andic—the family's eldest son—for murder, had already indicated the possible involvement of third parties in his father's death.
Unexpected witness and exposure therapy at cliff edge
Suspicions about Lüderwaldt's methods intensified following the appearance of a colleague of hers who presented herself voluntarily at a Mossos d'Esquadra police station several months ago. This woman stated that she had travelled the same Montserrat route with Jonathan a week before the fall, and claimed that he had expressed interest in a therapy designed for another patient that consisted of exposing a family member to the edge of a ravine.
Lüderwaldt's lawyer characterised those statements as merely an accumulation "of all manner of suspicions and speculation" that end up generating "incriminating elements". "We ask ourselves why there is this vindictiveness," Jufresa said to journalists. The counsel also rejected the description of his client—of German-Ecuadorian nationality—as someone who "earns vast sums of money".
Magistrate expands investigation to therapist
The investigating magistrate is now investigating whether Lüderwaldt had any direct involvement in the death of Isak Andic. Jufresa warned that publications linking his client to the case have "devastating effects" and announced that he is considering taking legal action against them.
The counsel also clarified that Lüderwaldt has never practised as a psychiatrist or as a psychologist, although she does have training as a psychoanalyst. The clarification comes after the College of Psychologists of Catalonia certified that she was practising without being registered, which generated further criticism against her in recent months.
Source: ABC