The entertainment world is in mourning following the shock death of beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani at the age of 45. The star, best known for her long-running role in the hit TV series McLeod's Daughters, passed away on December 7, her family confirmed this week.
A Heartfelt Farewell from a Former Love
Among the first to pay a moving public tribute was Carpani's former boyfriend, actor Matt Passmore, 51. The pair met on the set of McLeod's Daughters in 2006 and enjoyed a five-year romance before parting ways in 2011. On Tuesday, Passmore took to social media to share a poignant photo of Carpani alongside a brief but emotional caption.
'Farewell, my friend. All the love I have to the Carpanis, friends and family. The greatest gift you gave was knowing you,' he wrote, expressing the profound loss felt by those close to her.
Family Announces Tragic News
In his post, Passmore also included the official statement from Rachael's parents, Tony and Gael Carpani, who announced their daughter's death on Monday. They revealed she had 'unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness.'
The family has requested privacy during this immensely difficult time, stating they will be making no further statements. The news has sent waves of grief through the Australian acting community and her legion of fans.
Career Highlights and Health Struggles
Rachael Carpani's career was defined by her portrayal of Jodi Fountain in McLeod's Daughters, a role she played from 2001 to 2009. Her performance earned her a nomination for the prestigious Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress and the top honour, the Gold Logie, in 2007.
Following her time on the iconic drama, she pursued film roles in projects like The Very Excellent Mr Dundee and Hating Alison Ashley. Her most recent work was a recurring role as the villainous Claudia Salini on the popular soap Home and Away in 2022.
The actress had previously spoken candidly about her health, revealing a serious hospitalisation in 2021 after ignoring acute abdominal pain. She spent time in the ICU and later urged others, especially women, to listen to their bodies. 'I tend to work through pain... allowing myself to get quite ill,' she admitted at the time, sharing a photo from her hospital bed on Valentine's Day.
An Outpouring of Grief from Peers
The comments on Matt Passmore's tribute post quickly filled with condolences from friends and colleagues. US-based Australian actress Poppy Montgomery, star of Without a Trace, wrote: 'What a huge loss … Such a bright, beautiful talent and person! Sending love and prayers.'
Other messages echoed the sentiment of a life and career cut tragically short, with one friend writing, 'Too young!! Sorry, Matt,' and another simply stating, 'RIP, beautiful woman.' The collective grief underscores the impact Rachael Carpani had both on-screen and off.
