'NCIS: Los Angeles' Actress Rachael Carpani Passes Away 'Unexpectedly' at 45 — Family Releases Statement

Emotional tributes poured in after a public statement from Rachael Carpani's family confirmed her death in a message shared on social media.

Rachael Carpani, the Australian actress known for her roles in "McLeod's Daughters" and "NCIS: Los Angeles," has died at the age of 45.

Rachael's sister shared the announcement on Instagram, which quickly drew emotional reactions from viewers.

Family Statement Sparks Online Mourning

In the post, Georgia Carpani said that their parents, Tony and Gael Carpani, were heartbroken to announce that Rachael died "unexpectedly and peacefully" in the early hours of Sunday, December 7, 2025.

News of her passing came as a shock to Instagram users. Many visited Rachael's page and began leaving comments on her earlier posts. One wrote, "So much talent. So little time. Rest easy amongst the better angels sweet soul."

Another commented, "I can't believe the news! 😢 This is so devastating. 😔 Rest in peace. 🤍🕊️" A third added, "So young . RIP."

Someone else expressed sadness and thanked Rachael for her work throughout the years, calling her a true Australian legend and sending thoughts to her loved ones. A separate fan remembered her for her role in "McLeod's Daughters," describing her as a beautiful young woman and wishing her peace.

According to the family's statement, Rachael passed away "after a long battle of chronic illness." They also shared details about the funeral and requested privacy during this time.

Despite her illness, Rachael remained active online. After turning 45 on August 24, she shared a lengthy, heartfelt Instagram post in September.

Among the highlights of her message, she wrote, "But despite existing in this waking nightmare of a world losing its humanity …..you all reminded me how much we should treasure what we have .❤️❤️❤️"

Revealing Health Update Shared Before Her Death

In an earlier Instagram Reel, Rachael shared that she had undergone emergency surgery the previous year. Although she didn’t reveal the reason for the procedure, she reassured fans that she was "PERFECTLY fine" and "back to normal."

She explained that she had taken a break from social media to recover in private and avoid distractions.

Rachael also thanked the medical team, friends, and family who supported her during that time. She mentioned the "amazing nurses," as well as the calls, texts, and thoughtful gestures she received.

With her usual sense of humor, she joked that the surgery hadn't helped her coordination or stopped her from being "an idiot in front of a camera."

A Long Career Across Australia and the US

Rachael's acting career spanned more than two decades, with credits in both Australian and U.S. productions. She rose to fame as Jodi Fountain on the long-running drama "McLeod's Daughters," appearing in 179 episodes from 2001 to 2009. Her work earned her nominations for the Silver and Gold Logies in 2007.

In Australia, she also appeared in "800 Words," "All Saints," "Scorched," and "Home and Away." Her U.S. television work included roles in "The Rachels," "Seeds of Yesterday," "Stalker," and the Lifetime series "Against the Wall," where she played the lead role of Abby Kowalski.

The Sydney native's film appearances included "The Way Back," "Triangle," "The Umbrella Man," and "Hating Alison Ashley." Outside of acting, she studied ballet for 10 years and enjoyed surfing and horse riding.

In 2024, after spending much of the past decade working in Los Angeles, Rachael returned to Australia to film a special role on "Home and Away." In an interview with TV Week, she described it as a "full-circle moment."

Rachael played Claudia, a strong-willed businesswoman whose dramatic arrival in Summer Bay set off a major storyline. She explained that the role was a long time coming and stood out right away. The TV star recalled:

"So when this character landed on my agent's desk, she called me and the first words to come out of her mouth were, 'You have to say yes.' And after reading more and realising the depth of the character, and how well written it was, especially for a guest role, I called back and accepted it that same day."

Although Rachael had many years of acting experience, she found the fast pace of filming more intense than expected. She was surprised by how demanding it was, but felt supported by the welcoming and kind crew throughout the process.

She suggested that fans might see her return to "Drover's Run," noting that discussions around a "McLeod's Daughters" continuation were ongoing. While she didn't believe it would be a traditional reboot or sequel, she thought a prequel was a possibility, though that was just her opinion.

She added that series creator Posie Graeme-Evans tends to keep future plans private, but there could be something in the works.

Tributes From Co-Stars

After Georgia announced Rachael's passing on Instagram, "McLeod's Daughters" co-stars Bridie Carter and Matt Passmore shared their simple yet heartfelt tributes on her post.

Passmore wrote, "Farewell my friend. All the love I have to the Carpanis, friends and family. The greatest gift you gave was knowing you."

Meanwhile, Bridie called it "the most difficult post" she had ever written, expressing both sorrow and gratitude. She remembered Rachael as their "baby" and "beautiful girl." Bridie added:

"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."

She described Rachael's spirit as vivid and full of joy, generosity, and humor, adding that she brought resilience and humility to everything she did. Bridie ended her message by asking others to pray for Rachael's family during this difficult time.

Rachael's passing marks another heartbreaking loss in the entertainment world this December. Just days later, another television icon was mourned.

Anthony Geary, the eight-time Daytime Emmy Award winner best known for playing Luke Spencer on "General Hospital," died on December 14, 2025, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. His death was confirmed by his husband, Claudio Gama, in a statement to TV Insider.

Life in Amsterdam and the Days Leading up to His Death

Gama described the loss as unexpected. "It was a shock for me and our families and our friends. For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband," he said.

The couple had lived together in Amsterdam for years, along with their cat, Max, who had been part of their family for 16 years. Following his retirement from TV in 2015, Geary made the Dutch capital his permanent home and often spoke of his love for the city.

According to TV Insider, his passing was the result of complications from a scheduled operation three days earlier.

Shortly before Geary's death, Gama shared a quiet update on Instagram. He wrote about spending the evening alone, mentioning that Geary was "away" and expected to return on Monday.

He described preparing a simple Dutch meal and said Max had been especially affectionate that night. The message was calm and routine, with no indication of concern.

Tributes From 'General Hospital' Family and ABC Honor His Legacy

Following the news of Geary's death, on December 15, Frank Valentini, executive producer of "General Hospital," released a statement through People, expressing that they were all "heartbroken" over the loss.

"Tony was a brilliant actor and set the bar that we continue to strive for," Valentini said. "His legacy, and that of Luke Spencer's, will live on through the generations of GH cast members who have followed in his footsteps. We send our sincerest sympathies to his husband, Claudio, family, and friends. May he rest in peace."

ABC Entertainment also paid tribute, acknowledging Geary's decades-long contribution to television:

"Anthony captivated audiences for decades and earned a record eight Daytime Emmy Awards. The 1981 Luke and Laura wedding was a landmark moment that drew tens of millions of viewers and became part of television history. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and colleagues."

A Former Co-Star Shares a Personal and Heartfelt Farewell

Genie Francis, who played Laura opposite Geary's Luke, shared a deeply personal message on X. She said she woke up the morning of his death feeling anxious and afraid, as if her life had been flashing before her in a dream.

An hour later, the actress received a call from Valentini telling her that Geary had died. Francis said she immediately felt regret for not having spoken to him in years.

She also shared that she believed she had somehow sensed his passing in her sleep. Francis wrote that she remembered Geary as "a powerhouse," someone whose star burned brightly and whose presence on screen was magnetic.

In a follow-up post on the same platform, Francis also reflected on her former co-star's offbeat personality and what it was like working with him.

Francis said working with Geary set the bar for every leading man who came after. She shared how deeply she would miss him but felt grateful to have been his partner. She ended her tribute with a simple, heartfelt goodbye.