Australian actress Rachael Carpani, celebrated for her starring role in McLeod's Daughters and stint on Australian soap Home and Away, has died at the age of 45.
Her parents, Tony and Gael Carpani, announced the news today through a statement shared on social media by her sister, singer Georgia.
In the social media post, the statement read: "It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly by peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness, in the early hours of Sunday 7th December.
"The funeral will be a private event, to be held on Friday 19th ecember with close family and friends. The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements."
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
Rachael Carpani has died
|GETTY
Ms Carpani rose to prominence through her portrayal of Jodi Fountain in the long-running Australian drama McLeod's Daughters, a role she took on from 2001 until 2009.
Her performance on the series established her as one of the programme's most beloved cast members and earned widespread recognition across Australia.
The actress received two prestigious Logie Award nominations in 2007, including the Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress and a nomination for the highly coveted Gold Logie, the ceremony's top honour.
She attended The Hills Grammar School alongside singer Delta Goodrem, with whom she would later appear in the film Hating Alison Ashley.
Beyond McLeod's Daughters, Ms Carpani maintained a steady presence on screen throughout her career.
Her most recent television work saw her take on a recurring role as the villainous Claudia Salini in Home and Away during the 2024 season.
The actress also appeared in several feature films, including Hating Alison Ashley, The Very Excellent Mr Dundee and The Way Back.
Her television credits extended to guest appearances on medical drama All Saints and American series NCIS: Los Angeles, where she featured in 2009 alongside Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Rachael Carpani fought a long battle with chronic illness
|Ms Carpani had spoken openly about her health challenges in recent years, revealing in August 2024 that she had lived with undiagnosed endometriosis for nearly 13 years before finally receiving a diagnosis in her early thirties.
In 2021, she was admitted to intensive care with acute abdominal pain, later telling followers she had allowed herself to become "quite ill" by ignoring warning signs from her body.
Rachael Carpani was best known for her role on McLeod's Sisters
|Her McLeod's Daughters co-star Bridie Carter paid tribute on social media, describing Carpani as "the baby of our family".
She went on to praise her as a "vivid spirit" full of "life, laughter, joy" and "great humour."
Fans of Ms Carpani's work have also flooded the web with their own messages of condolence. On X, one fan penned: "This is incredibly sad. I loved her in McLeod's Daughters... May she rest in peace."
"Noo! Not Rachael Carpani," another penned alongside a series of crying emojis, while a third weighed in: "R.I.P Rachael Carpani star of McLeod's Daughters." (sic)