Originally appeared on E! Online. Rachael Carpani’s loved ones are in mourning. The Australian actress — who appeared on “NCIS.: Los Angeles,” AE’s “The Glades,” Lifetime’s “Against the Wall” and the 2020 Ben Affleck film “The Way Back” — died at the age of 45, her si ster Georgia announced. “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,” she wrote on Instagram Monday. “The funeral will be a private event, to be held on Friday 19th December with close family and friends.” She added, “The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements.” While comments were turned off on Georgia’s post, fans flooded the comments on a 2024 photo she had posted with her sister, who was best known for playing Jodi Fountain on the Australian soap opera “McLeod’s Daughters” for nearly 180 episodes. READ: NFL Alum Kevin Faulk’s Daughter Dies Unexpectedly 4 Years After Her Younger Sister “Condolences to your family,” one user commented. “I loved your sister Rachael on Mcleod’s Daughter’s. She was too young and so beautiful. Life is so unfair sometimes.” Another user wrote, “On behalf of all from the Mc Leods Töchter Facebook Group Germany, we would like to express our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Rachel was such a wonderful woman who gave us many beautiful moments and hours in the series. We will always carry them in our hearts.” Commented a third user, “I am so incredibly saddened to learn of your darling sisters passing. I am so sorry. I grew up watching wanting to be her. Sending much love and enveloping hugs to your family.” Back in September, Carpani had gushed about how loved she felt after celebrating her 45th birthday with her family. “Despite existing in this waking nightmare of a world losing its humanity,” she wrote on Instagram at the time, “you all reminded me how much we should treasure what we have. And against the current backdrop, how enormously grateful we should all be, everyday.” “Thank you for bringing joy and ridiculous into my world, even for a day or two,” Carpani added. “Didn’t realise how much I needed it, or how much I would love all that love.” ...read more read less