WE legend Chyna, whose real name
was Joanie Laurer, has died aged
45.
“It is with deep sadness to inform you
today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero,” a statement posted on her Twitter account read.
#RipChyna ������ all of us on team
Chyna love you and will love you
forever babe.
Police said they were investigating the
cause of her death on Wednesday night at her home in Redondo Beach, California, but there were no obvious signs of foul play.
In a statement, police said they had
responded to an emergency call from one of Chyna's friends, after she failed to answer her phone for several days. The friend had gone to check on Chyna at her home and told an emergency services operator she
was not breathing.
Chyna, who also appeared in porn films, rose to fame as a wrestler in the late 90s, and was soon billed as the "Ninth Wonder of the World".
She came to dominate female wrestling, competing at the Royal Rumble and the King of the Ring in 1999, the same year she became the first woman to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
After leaving wrestling, she appeared in Playboy twice and starred in six
pornography films. She also made several appearances on reality television.
In 2008, she spoke about her long struggles
with drug addiction on the show Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew.
"She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved
her," the statement on her Twitter read. Fans, friends and celebrities paid tribute to the wrestling legend on Twitter using the
hashtag #RIPChyna.
Sad to hear about the passing of
@ChynaJoanLaurer. #RipChyna you
will be missed
— Verne Troyer (@VerneTroyer)
April 21, 2016
Among the tributes was current WWE
Women's Champion, who goes by the stage
name Charlotte .
Chyna was fearless to no man & a
huge part of #womenswrestling her
impact will never be forgotten.
thoughts & prayers are with her
family ��
— Charlotte (@MsCharlotteWWE)
