LONG ISLAND – Pennsylvania man suspected of killing Brooklyn artist at luxury Hamptons wellness retreat had been in a romantic relationship with her for years, but she was trying to break away from him, according to a friend and mentor.

The Brooklyn artist who was allegedly killed Monday at a Hamptons spa reportedly tried to end a longtime relationship with the Pennsylvania man believed to be her mentor sugar daddy. says FOX News.

“I felt like she wanted to get rid of him,” said Liz Phillips, a part-time art professor at SUNY Purchase, where she taught Rosas and hired her as an assistant, referring to her mentor’s desire to he distanced himself from the man.

Sabina Rosas, 33, was found dead in a room in the Shou Sugi Ban House in Moara de Apă.

“He came everywhere with her,” she said, but she thought Rosas had had enough of it.

The suspect, Thomas Gannon, 56, Rosas’ alleged sugar daddy, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Pennsylvania by Wednesday.

Phillips says Rosas was romantically involved with Gannon for about four years, during which time he financed some of her projects.

She says Rosas planned to visit her in Queens, but Rosas never arrived.

“She was beautiful and talented,” she said. “She really lit up a classroom like no other.”

Phillips described Rosas as a hardworking and talented artist with a unique background. “I wish he had killed himself and not her,” she said.

Officials are not saying how Rosas died, and the investigation remains ongoing.

FOX News contributed to this report.