So here is how the root zone area looks like:
removing some more soil to check further the roots:
inner part of container after plant base removed:
Nothing..nothing at all..soil looks okay, not even compacted. Roots looks okay, rhizomatous on some strands, more fibrous ones on the upper part, longer, older roots digging in below as should be. No insects found.
So I just removed an older stem that has dried off, and removed a straggler aeonium but other than that, nothing significant that may give a clue as to what's ailing this plant. Unless it just wants to be dug out and breathe who knows
Anyone likes to have some cuttings??