Rebekah Del Rio Passes Away at 57 Leaving Behind a Legacy of Hauntingly Beautiful Music

Rebekah Del Rio, the acclaimed vocalist best known for her heart-wrenching performance of "Llorando" in the surreal masterpiece Mulholland Drive, has passed away at the age of 57. She died at her Los Angeles home on June 23, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office, though the official cause of death remains undetermined pending further investigation.

Del Rio rose to prominence in the 1990s as an emerging singer-songwriter with a mesmerizing voice and emotional depth that caught the attention of celebrated filmmaker David Lynch. It was Lynch who brought her into the spotlight by featuring her soul-stirring Spanish-language rendition of Roy Orbison’s “Crying”—titled “Llorando”—in one of the most unforgettable scenes in Mulholland Drive. Her performance, set in a dimly lit theater with a tear painted on her cheek and a voice quivering with raw emotion, became a defining moment in modern cinema.

The song’s inclusion wasn’t originally planned for the film. Lynch, deeply moved by her voice, wrote it into the script after hearing her recording. Reflecting on the experience, Del Rio once shared how she sang Llorando live on set for Naomi Watts and Laura Harring, the film’s stars, delivering take after take with full vocal emotion so the actresses could feel its weight in real time.

Her collaboration with David Lynch did not end there. She appeared again in his acclaimed series Twin Peaks: The Return, further cementing her place in the unique universe Lynch created. Beyond Lynch’s work, Del Rio’s music featured in other high-profile productions like Sin City, showcasing her versatility and wide emotional range.

Del Rio’s passing marks the loss of a singular voice in American music and film. Her ability to evoke deep feeling through song left an indelible impression on audiences worldwide. Though she has left this world, the legacy of her haunting voice and unforgettable performances will continue to echo for generations to come.