'The Umbrella Man' star Rachael Carpani breathes her last at 45

Rachael Carpani, famous for Home and Away, has “unexpectedly” passed away at the age of 45.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, December 15, the late Australian actress’s sister Georgia released a statement to announce her on their parents’ behalf.

Notably, the grieving family did inform Rachael’s fans regarding her battle with some chronic illness but refrained from revealing the exact disease she succumbed to.

The statement 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.”

Sharing the funeral date, her family went on to state that “the funeral will be a private event, to be held on Friday 19th December with close family and friends.”

“The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements,” the statement concluded with a heartfelt request.

On the professional front, Rachael worked in several hit shows and her role of Jodi Fountain in the Australian series McLeod's Daughters from 2001 to 2009 earned her worldwide acclaim.

It is pertinent to mention that the late star also acted in many U.S. shows and films, per imdb.