Los Angeles — Rebekah Del Rio, the distinctive vocalist whose haunting performance in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive left a lasting mark on cinema, has died at the age of 57.

The news was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, which stated that Del Rio passed away at her home on Monday, June 23, 2025. Confirmation was provided to USA TODAY on Friday, June 27. As of now, both the cause and manner of death are listed as deferred, pending further examination and testing—a process that could take several months.

Del Rio first caught Lynch’s attention in the 1990s after their mutual agent arranged an introduction. At the time, she had already recorded “Llorando,” a Spanish-language rendition of Roy Orbison’s classic “Crying.” Lynch was so moved by the recording that he wrote a scene specifically to feature it in Mulholland Drive, resulting in one of the film’s most iconic and emotionally charged moments.

In the scene, Del Rio appears with two-toned eyeshadow and a sparkling tear, delivering a powerful, a cappella rendition of “Llorando” in a nearly empty theater, as the film’s leads—Naomi Watts and Laura Harring—watch in silence.

“There were many takes. And with every take, I sang along, because I felt I had to produce that same feeling with the vibrato in my throat so the audience could feel it,” Del Rio told IndieWire in a 2022 interview. “I also wanted the beautiful girls in the balcony—Laura Harring and Naomi Watts—to experience it live.”

Beyond Mulholland Drive, Del Rio’s music continued to be featured in a range of film and television projects, including Twin Peaks: The Return, another David Lynch project, and the neo-noir action film Sin City.

Known for her rich, emotive voice, Del Rio brought profound emotional depth to every performance. Her passing leaves a void in the world of film and music, with fans around the world mourning the loss of a singular talent.