Sad news this Monday as it has been announced that Home and Away star Rachael Carpani has died at just 45 years old. The actor played Claudia Salini in the Australian soap last year, and was nominated for two Logie awards for her role in McLeod’s Daughters between 2001 and 2009.

She also appeared in NCIS: Los Angeles, True Blue, All Saints, Scorched and more.

Her sister Georgia made an Instagram post today explaining that the actor passed away earlier in the month.

“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, in the early hours of Sunday 7 December,” the post reads.

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

The family are planning a private funeral for later this week, on Friday 19 December.

When Rachael joined Home and Away last year, Justin Morgan actor James Stewart praised her “gorgeous energy on set”.

“She has done such big work and it’s really kudos to the casting agents here, because they get us these guests that just make you lift your game.”

He continued: “Ada [Nicodemou] and I loved working with her, they were really great together.”

Comments were turned off on the announcement post, but fans left condolences on Georgia’s pinned post of the two sisters from September 2024, and Rachael’s final post from a few weeks ago, where she celebrated her mother’s birthday.