Australian actress Rachael Carpani has died aged 45 (Picture: Ben Mark Holzberg/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Australian soap star Rachael Carpani has passed away at age 45 after ‘a long battle with chronic illness’, it has been announced.

The Home and Away actress died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’, according to a statement from her parents, posted to Instagram by Rachael’s sister, Georgia.

‘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,’ it said.

‘The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements.’

They added that Rachael’s funeral has been arranged, and will be a private event for close family and friends.

In 2024, Claudia joined the cast of Home and Away as the villainous Claudia Salini. She had previously appeared in two episodes in 2001 as Miranda, a server in a diner.

Rachael made her first appearance as Claudia on August 29, in 2024. The star was attracted to the role after learning the character of Claudia was created by script executive Louise Bowes, who worked as a scriptwriter on McLeod’s Daughters.

Claudia was a businesswoman, who got stuck in Summer Bay as a result of being in a car accident.

Claudia blamed Justin Morgan (James Stewart) and Theo Poulos (Matt Evans) for the crash, as the two men serviced the car. The new face claimed that the brakes were faulty, and intended to sue Justin for negligence.

Outside of the soap, Rachael was best known for her role as Jodi Fountain in the series McLeod’s Daughters, which aired in the early 00s.

Rachael played Claudia Salini in Home and Away (Picture: Seven)
She featured in the show from 2001-2009, and secured two Logie nominations for her performance. In 2007, Rachael was nominated for the Silver Logie in the category Most Popular Actress and also the biggest award, the Gold Logie.

Some of Jodi’s major stories saw her discover the identity of her biological father, enter witness protection after her death was faked, and being pregnant.

Rachael’s co-star Bridie Carter, who played on-screen half-sister Tess in the series, took to Instagram to pay tribute to her friend.

Alongside the statement from Rachael’s parents, Bridie wrote: ‘This is the most difficult post….. In love and respect, for our beautiful Rach, in prayer and with the deepest sorrow and profound sympathy for the Carpani family…..

Rachael had ‘a long battle with chronic illness'(Picture: Instagram)
‘Rest In Peace our beautiful girl….the “baby” of our MD family…. We love you, we cherish you….. This is the wrong order of things. We are better people for having the privilege of sharing time with you.

‘We know Rach will not only be missed immeasurably by her family, by us, but she is loved and will be missed by you all, around the world.

‘We love you Carpani. We miss you Rach. May your blessed spirit, so vivid, so full of life, laughter, joy, generosity, unique talent, energy, fervour, intelligence, resilience, courage and great humour, and a gentle humility, may you rest in peace….. Love you Rach.’

Rachael has also appeared in a variety of films, including The Very Excellent Mr Dundee, The Way Back and Hating Alison Ashley.