Australian actress Rachael Carpani, best known for her roles in McLeod’s Daughters and Home and Away, has died. She was 45.
The soap star’s family confirmed that she died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ on December 7.
‘It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness,’ her parents wrote on social media.
The family went on to reveal the funeral plans, adding that it will be a ‘private event’.
‘The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements,’ they added.
Rachael is best known for her role as Jodi Fountain in the hit series McLeod’s Daughters between 2001 and 2009.
In 2007, she was nominated for the Silver Logie for most popular actress and the biggest award, the Gold Logie.
She appeared in several films, including titles such as The Very Excellent Mr Dundee, Hating Alison Ashley and The Way Back.
Her latest project was last year, playing a recurring role in Aussie soap opera Home and Away as the villainous Claudia Salini.
Rachael had her fans concerned in 2021 after acute abdominal pain saw her rushed to hospital, where she said she ‘spent a few days in the ICU’.
‘Was then moved to the surgical ward,’ she said.
‘Basically it was a case of me not listening to my body and the pain (I tend to work through pain!) and allowing myself to get quite ill.’
‘Yet again, another lesson, especially to women who tend to ignore their own care because “there’s no time” or more important things or people to look after, to stop and listen to what your body is trying to tell you.’
Rachael also revealed she had spent Valentine’s Day in hospital and shared a photo of herself sitting in her hospital bed and holding a bouquet.
