Another McLeod’s Daughters cast member has shared their memories of Rachael Carpani, 45, whose death was announced this week.
In a lengthy and heartfelt tribute posted to Instagram, New Zealand-born actress Jessica Napier, 46, shared an intimate snapshot of the pair’s enduring friendship.
Napier portrayed Becky Howard on the hit show, who would go on to become the on-screen friend of Carpani’s character, Jodi Fountain McLeod.
Jessica Napier has honoured her late co-star and friend Rachael Carpani. (9Now / Stan)
During their time as co-stars on McLeod’s, their on-screen bond gradually blossomed into a real-life friendship off-screen.
“My beautiful, beautiful friend,” Napier’s moving tribute post began.
“There are no words strong enough to describe how shattered I am at your passing.”
The star reminisced on the years of comradery the two shared both during and after their respective stints on the long-running show.
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The two stars became friends while filming hit Aussie show McLeod’s Daughters. (Instagram)
“I think about the endless nights watching Kath & Kim, drinking homemade daiquiris… how I made you live in our dilapidated apartment by the sea because it was the only place available with the beach on the doorstep,” Napier recalled fondly.
She went on to paint an intimate picture of the bond they shared during the period they spent living and working together – from laughing at radio segments during their morning commute to set, to imagining their futures and the lives they would go on to lead.
“[I] never once imagined this ending.”
Napier then revealed she and Carpani had tentative plans to meet and catch up prior to her sudden death – but in the end, they’d never had the chance.
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Their on-screen friendship blossomed into an equally enduring bond off-screen. (Instagram)
Carpani died on December 7 after an ongoing battle with chronic illness, which she first alluded to following her hospitalisation for “abdominal pain” in 2021.
“I’m heartbroken that we didn’t get to have that last drink we’d been texting about for weeks. That will stay with me.”
Napier included a series of photos of her late co-star in her heart-breaking post, describing her as “beautiful, smart and funny.”
She also extended her sympathies to her late friend’s family, who first confirmed the news of Carpani’s death earlier this week.
The heart-breaking post shared an intimate look into their years-long bond. (Instagram)
Napier is the latest of Carpani’s McLeod’s co-stars to pay tribute to her following her sudden death this week. (Nine)
“It feels unbearable that they, and all of us, have lost you so soon.”
Napier went on to say that she was “grateful” to the show for bringing them together, reflecting on the privilege of sharing that moment in time together.
“And what a moment it was.”
“I love you, Rac. Rest easy, beautiful,” the post concluded.
Napier is the latest in a growing list of Carpani’s co-stars to commemorate the star. 
Matt Passmore – who played heartthrob Marcus Turner on McLeod’s from 2006 to 2009 – also made a brief but heartbreaking statement.
Their working relationship became a real-life romance during their time on the hit show, with the pair going on to date for five years between 2006 and 2011.
“Farewell my friend. All the love I have to the Carpanis, friends and family. The greatest gift you gave was knowing you,” the post read.
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Bridie Carter, who portrayed Carpani’s on-screen sister, also expressed her grief at having outlived her younger co-star – who was only 21 when filming first started.
“This is the wrong order of things,” Carter said.
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