Death Sentence! The Truth About Alexis Arquette's Shocking AIDS Secret Exposed

Alexis Arquette died in an L.A. hospital September 11, and as RadarOnline.com was the first to report, it was AIDS that ultimately killed her. But according to an insider, she had valiantly battled the illness for decades!

A source close to the Arquette family told RadarOnline.com exclusively that although fans of the actress and transgender rights activist have been shocked to find out her AIDS secret, those who knew her well have been prepared for her to die from it for more than a decade.

According to a close family friend, "Alexis contracted the HIV virus in the early 1990's. At the time it was a death sentence, so she lived her entire life as if every day was her last."

But even with recent advancements in HIV/AIDS medicine, the pal told RadarOnline.com, "Alexis did not fully accept the fact that she had the virus and often refused to take medication."

"Her family members all tried to force her to take it and she would lie about it," the source claimed. "She wanted to believe that she did not have it because she thought that if she did, the world would turn against her."

"She knew that this disease would kill her eventually," said the source.

Reps for the Arquettes have not responded to RadarOnline.com's request for comment.

Do you think that Alexis Arquette should have been honest about her AIDS diagnosis? Tell us your thoughts below.

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