David Lynch's Cause Of Death Released

The beloved filmmaker and "Twin Peaks" creator died last month, prompting tributes from fans, past collaborators and even ex-lovers.

The cause of death for director David Lynch, who created the “Twin Peaks” television series and acclaimed films including “Fire Walk With Me” and “Mulholland Drive,” has been released nearly one month after his death at age 78.

Lynch died from cardiac arrest as a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ published Friday. The document lists dehydration as a significant contributing factor in Lynch’s death.

News of Lynch’s passing inspired a monumental response from fans, cinephiles and past collaborators alike. The native Montanan, a famed proponent of transcendental meditation, died last month. He announced in August that he was diagnosed with emphysema in 2020.

Lynch noted when confirming his diagnosis in a social media post last summer that the chronic lung condition was likely related to his penchant for smoking. Still, when the late director received an honorary Oscar in 2019, he was steadfast about the habit.

“I have emphysema from many years of smoking,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I have to say that I enjoyed smoking very much, and I do love tobacco — the smell of it, lighting cigarettes on fire, smoking them — but there is a price to pay for this enjoyment.”