Australian actress Rachael Carpani died after a “long battle with chronic illness” in Sydney, New South Wales, on December 7. She was 45. Her parents announced the death on December 15 via a statement uploaded on Rachael’s sister Georgia’s Instagram profile.“It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announced 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,” the statement read.Racheal’s parents have also requested “privacy” as they navigate through the loss.In the wake of Carpani’s untimely demise, her ex-partner and co-star Matt Passmore paid his tribute.“Farewell, my friend. All the love I have to the Carpanis, friends and family. The greatest gift you gave was knowing you,” Passmore wrote on Instagram, reposting the Carpani family’s statement.Matt Passmore is now married to Natalia Cigliuti. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostHowever, he dated Rachael Carpani from 2006 to 2011 when they worked together on the long-running daytime soap opera McLeod’s Daughters.All about Matt Passmore’s personal life amid Rachael Carpani’s deathRachael Carpani first met Matt Passmore on the sets of Nine Network’s McLeod’s Daughters in 2006, where she played the fan-favorite role of Jodi Fountain while he appeared as Marcus Turner.Later, the pair also shared screen on the A&E crime drama The Glades, where he played the male lead of Jim Longworth while Rachael Carpani appeared in three episodes as Heather Thompson.Matt Passmore, 51, has been married twice. His first wife was Jacqui Passmore, and they were married for a decade until 2007.Passmore tied the knot with New York-born television actress Natalia Cigliuti in 2016. Their only child was born in September 2021.Notably, Natalia, 47, was previously married to NASCAR race driver Rob Rizzo. Her acting credits include Saved by the Bell: The New Class, Raising the Bar, Pacific Palisades, and 90210.Meanwhile, Matt Passmore’s notable appearances include 13 Reasons Why, Last Man Standing, Frayed, and Satisfaction.Passmore wasn’t the only one who paid tribute to Rachael Carpani. Actress Poppy Montgomery mourned the tragedy in the comment section of Matt’s Instagram tribute:“What a huge loss… Such a bright, beautiful talent and person! Sending love and prayers [red heart emoji].”Passmore and Carpani’s McLeod’s Daughters co-actor Birdie Carter also shared her tribute on Monday.“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 (McLeod’s Daughters) family. We love you, we cherish you,” Carter wrote on social media. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostShe continued:“This is the wrong order of things. We are better people for having the privilege of sharing time with you. 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.”Calling it “the most difficult post” she ever had to pen, Birdie added:“May your blessed spirit, so vivid, so full of life, laughter, joy, generosity, unique talent, energy, fervour, intelligence, resilience, courage and great humour, and a gentle humility, may you rest in peace... Love you, Rach... Sending prayers to Rachael’s family, please pray for them too.”Rachael Carpani’s private funeral will be held in her hometown on December 19 in the presence of close friends and family.