McLeod’s Daughters actress Jessica Napier has penned a heartbreaking tribute to her “beautiful” late friend, Rachael Carpani, reflecting on the moments she treasured most from their friendship and their time working together on the beloved Aussie drama series.

Carpani died “unexpectedly” earlier this month, aged just 45, after a long battle with illness.

“My beautiful, beautiful friend – there are no words strong enough to describe how shattered I am at your passing. I keep trying to make sense of this loss, and I can’t, because nothing about it feels fair. None of it,” Napier wrote on Instagram.

“I’ve been thinking about our time together in Adelaide, and I’ve laughed and cried a lot. I think about the endless nights watching Kath & Kim, drinking homemade daiquiris (sugar-free, of course), and 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. You never complained – even when we had to putty up the holes in your bedroom walls (I’m so sorry).”

Jessica Napier and Rachael Carpani co-starred in McLeod’s Daughters. Picture: Instagram / @billcav

The Aussie stars remained close friends. Picture: Instagram / @billcav
The pair worked together on McLeod’s Daughters when Carpani took on the role of Jodi Fountain, which earned her two Logie nominations in 2007 – the Silver Logie for Most Popular Actress and the Gold Logie.

Their friendship extended beyond the screen, and the remained close well after the series ended in 2009 and up to the star’s sad passing earlier this month.

“I think about how you knew every single word to Eminem’s Lose Yourself, the way you’d drive your Holden Vectra like a racing car whenever a car park was empty, and those early mornings listening to Triple J on the drive to set, half asleep,” Napier reminisced.

“I remember how much joy we found in the Where Are They Now? segments on the radio -laughing about when it would be us they were talking about, making up futures for ourselves … but never once imagining this ending.”

Rachael (bottom) starred as Jodi on McLeod’s Daughters. Picture: Supplied
Napier, whose late father Marshall Napier also starred in McLeod’s Daughers, went on to share some regrets she was holding onto since hearing the news of her pal’s death.

“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. I’m devastated for your beautiful family, who meant the absolute world to you, and who should have had so many more years with you. It feels unbearable that they, and all of us, have lost you so soon,” she added.

“The world is dimmer without you in it. You were a shining light – someone who stood up for what she believed in, who was beautiful, smart and funny, and so deeply loved.

I feel incredibly grateful that our lives overlapped at all, that we got to share a moment in time together – and what a moment it was. I love you, Rac. Rest easy, beautiful.”

She signed off the touching tribute with “much love, Jan xxx” – assumed to be an in-joke or nickname known between them.

Jess says she regrets not having that ‘last drink’ with Rachael before her passing. Picture: Instagram / @billcav

Always remembered. Picture: Instagram / @billcav
Carpani died “unexpectedly” but “peacefully” on December 7 after an ongoing battle with an undisclosed chronic illness. She was 45.

Her parents announced the sad news in a statement that was posted on Instagram by her sister Georgia.

“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,” the statement read.

The family requested privacy as they prepared for a private funeral to be held on Friday 19th December, with only close friends and family invited to attend.