roa sierra had had various jobs, primarily like his father as a stonemason. at some point he met a german astrologer named johan umland gert and became a regular client. it is reported that gert initiated roa sierra in rosicrucianism, a medieval cult that adheres to the belief of reincarnation. roa sierra eventually confided in gert his plans to find treasures in facatativá and monserrate. before the events, eight of roa sierra's siblings had died and another one had been committed to a mental institution. it is alleged that roa sierra's mental health had also deteriorated to the point that he was convinced he was a reincarnation of gonzalo jiménez de quesada and of francisco de paula santander. he would even style his hair to resemble those historical figures and stare at his own image in the mirror for hours.