In a wave of profound grief that has swept across the Australian entertainment industry and beyond, the beloved actress Rachael Carpani, best known for her role as Jodi Fountain in the iconic series McLeod’s Daughters, has passed away at the age of 45. The devastating news was announced on December 15, 2025, by her family, revealing that Carpani died unexpectedly but peacefully on December 7 after a long battle with chronic illness. Her co-star and on-screen half-sister, Bridie Carter, who portrayed Tess Silverman McLeod, led the tributes with an emotional Instagram post that has left fans worldwide in tears.
Carter's tribute captured the deep bond shared by the McLeod’s Daughters cast, referring to Carpani as the “baby” of the family. “This is the most difficult post,” Carter began. “In love and respect, for our beautiful Rach, in prayer and with the deepest sorrow and profound sympathy for the Carpani family. Rest In Peace our beautiful girl….the ‘baby’ of our MD family. We love you, we cherish you.” She went on to describe Carpani’s spirit as “vivid, so full of life, laughter, joy, generosity, unique talent, energy, fervour, intelligence, resilience, courage and great humour, and a gentle humility.” Carter acknowledged the unnatural order of events, stating, “This is the wrong order of things. We are better people for having the privilege of sharing time with you.” The post concluded with a heartfelt acknowledgment of Carpani’s global impact: “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.”
The outpouring of grief from fans has been overwhelming, with many expressing devastation on social media. Comments on Carter’s post and across platforms like Instagram and X highlighted how McLeod’s Daughters felt like an extended family to viewers. One fan wrote, “Oh gosh. What a heartbreaking piece of news. The beauty of MD was that everyone who watched somehow feels like family – this news is shattering. Sending love to her family – blood and otherwise. How devastating.” Another shared, “This is devastating. One of my favourite characters in McLeod’s Daughters. Rest in peace.” The sense of loss echoes the show’s themes of sisterhood, resilience, and rural life, which resonated deeply with audiences during its run from 2001 to 2009.
Rachael Carpani’s career began with small roles in Australian soaps like All Saints and Home and Away, but it was her breakthrough as the spirited teenage Jodi Fountain on McLeod’s Daughters that catapulted her to stardom. Joining the cast at just 21, she portrayed the youngest daughter of Jack McLeod, bringing a youthful energy and vulnerability to the ensemble of strong women navigating life on a cattle station. Her performance earned her two Logie Award nominations, including a Gold Logie nod in 2007 for Most Popular Personality. Carpani appeared in nearly 180 episodes, becoming a fan favorite for Jodi’s growth from a rebellious teen to a mature woman inheriting part of Drovers Run.
After leaving the show in 2007—where her character was dramatically written out in a presumed fatal explosion, only to return briefly in the finale—Carpani pursued opportunities in Hollywood. She landed roles in U.S. series like NCIS: Los Angeles, The Glades, and the lead in Against the Wall. She also starred alongside Ben Affleck in the 2020 film The Way Back. More recently, in 2024, she returned to Australian television with a recurring role as the mysterious Claudia Salini on Home and Away, exciting fans with her comeback to familiar screens.
Behind the scenes, Carpani battled chronic illness courageously. She had openly discussed living with undiagnosed endometriosis for years before receiving a proper diagnosis in her early thirties, later revealing struggles with adenomyosis as well. In interviews, she spoke about enduring excruciating pain while working, often “white-knuckling” through shoots and public appearances. Despite this, she remained an advocate for women’s health issues, domestic violence awareness, the #MeToo movement, Indigenous rights, and global justice causes. Her resilience mirrored the tough, compassionate characters she portrayed.
Other McLeod’s Daughters co-stars joined Carter in mourning. Matt Passmore, who played Marcus Turner and dated Carpani for five years during their time on the show (2006-2011), posted a simple yet poignant tribute: “Farewell my friend. All the love I have to the Carpanis, friends and family. The greatest gift you gave was knowing you.” Jonny Pasvolsky, who played Rob/Matt Bosnich (Jodi’s on-screen husband), wrote, “My beautiful, funny friend and screen partner from McLeod’s Daughters, Rachael Carpani has passed away. Way. Too. Soon. My heart is with her family in a time of unimaginable pain. Rest in peace Rach. You made me laugh (and you made me cry once).”
Jessica Napier, Michala Banas, and others echoed the sentiment, remembering Carpani as “beautiful, smart and funny.” The cast’s close-knit bond, forged over years of filming in the Australian outback, has been evident in their unified grief.
The family’s statement, shared by Carpani’s sister Georgia on Instagram, read: “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 7th December.” They requested privacy and noted that a private funeral would be held on December 19 for close family and friends.
The timing of the announcement adds a layer of poignancy, coming just as rumors of a potential McLeod’s Daughters reboot circulated. Earlier in December, Bridie Carter had teased “very exciting” news about the show, sparking fan speculation. However, Carpani’s passing has cast a shadow over any revival talks, reminding everyone of the irreplaceable legacy she leaves behind.
Fans devastated by the news have flooded social media with memories of Jodi’s storylines—the romances, the family revelations, the triumphs over adversity. One wrote, “Sad day for Australia today on the sad passing of a beautiful woman Rachael Carpani. She will be sadly missed. We all fell in love with her character on McLeod’s Daughters, Jodi.” Another reflected, “So much talent. So little time. Rest easy amongst the better angels sweet soul.”
Rachael Carpani’s death at such a young age serves as a stark reminder of the hidden battles many face, even those who bring joy to millions through their work. Her spirit—vivid, generous, and resilient—lives on in the hearts of her family, friends, co-stars, and the global fandom of McLeod’s Daughters. As Bridie Carter so eloquently put it, she made us all better for having known her, even from afar.
Rest in peace, Rachael Carpani. You will be deeply missed.