KANSAS CITY, Mo. _ He described his third self-published book as the one that would transform the reader's life, as it had his own.
"The Laws of the Cosmos," Cosmo Setepenra boasted on his website, was an amazing journey toward self-awareness and empowerment. The book, according to an online presentation, was co-authored by Enensa Amen, but when contacted by the Kansas City Star, Amen said he merely designed the cover.
"I didn't even know his real name," Amen said Monday, a day after authorities say Gavin Eugene Long _ who had recast himself as Setepenra _ killed three law officers and wounded three others in Baton Rouge, La. "We did not engage each other personally. He sent me money, he sent me files. ... I never even met the guy."
Some people with whom Long claimed an association said Monday that they never knew him or had any contact with him; others said he had mischaracterized their relationship.
As Louisiana authorities began to piece together what led up to Sunday's killings, a clearer picture was emerging of the 29-year-old Kansas City, Mo., man who authorities say ambushed the officers. And that picture of Long _ who in recent years had declared himself a nutritionist, life coach and spiritual leader _ reveals a man who would take what he could from others and wasn't always what he said he was.
But the path from that to a man who hunted police in Louisiana 700 miles away is tough to map or even understand.
"It's important for us to look at that timeline that got him to yesterday morning," Col. Mike Edmonson of the Louisiana State Police said during a news conference Monday afternoon. "And why? Why did he come to Baton Rouge? Why did he pick Baton Rouge? Why did he pick that location right there and why did he kill police officers? That's what is important to us."
Authorities know that Long had been in their community several days; they think he drove there from Dallas, where he'd gone after renting a Chevrolet Malibu in Kansas City. Investigators still haven't interviewed people with key information about where Long went, whom he saw and what he did.
Family and friends have said little about the 2005 graduate of Grandview High School and five-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. On Sunday, a man at 1166 E. 77th Terrace, the last known address for Long, came to the door with a gun in his hand and told a Star reporter he had no comment.
And on Monday, a reporter from another outlet tweeted at 12:06 p.m., "Man just angrily kicked GMA ("Good Morning America") crew off of Gavin Long family residence in KC. "Do I look like a b---- to you?" he shouted."
Under the Setepenra identity, Long had a Facebook page called Cosmo Global on which he advertised his self-help books and touted events. The page says he lost more than 80 pounds in six months at age 16 after teaching himself about diet and fitness.
The site says he had planned a "Celebrate Your Life Conference" in Phoenix in November and a "Cruise Into Spirit" to the Caribbean in October. The notice claimed that at least 10 of "the most spiritual leaders on the planet" would join the cruise.
One of the spiritual leaders listed was Kim Russo, a psychic medium.
"She does not know him at all," said David Roberge, Russo's personal manager. "She has no idea why he would associate himself with her."
Long never contacted the cruise producer or travel agency to be a speaker or attendee on the cruise or any tour produced by Divine Travels, according to a statement released regarding Long's claims.
"He is in no way affiliated with Cruise Into Spirit or Divine Travels," the statement read. "Our prayers are with the families of the fallen officers."
Added Roberge: "This is just bizarre."
