Chyna, the former WWE Women's champion and reality TV star, was found dead in her Redondo Beach home on Wednesday.
The official cause of death is unknown.
According to local police, the wrestling personality was found unresponsive in bed after not answering her friend’s calls for a few days.
“There are no indications or signs that her death was the result of foul play,” police said.
Chyna, whose real name is Joanie Laurer, last appeared in an odd YouTube video posted Sunday morning.
Her manager confirmed her death to Pennacchio. WWE announced the news later in the evening.
“It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero. Joanie Laurer aka Chyna, the 9th wonder of the world has passed away. She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her,” the post read.
Chyna appeared in several TV shows over the last two decades, including VH1’s “Surreal Life” and “Celebrity Rehab.” She also guest starred on “3rd Rock from the Sun” and “The Nick Cannon Show.”
According to the Internet Wrestling Database, Chyna's final match in WWE came at Judgment Day 2001, and after that, she had brief spells with New Japan Pro Wrestling and TNA.
The timing of her departure from WWE meant she missed out on the resurgence of women's wrestling with the promotion. While Trish Stratus, Molly Holly, Jacqueline and Lita were all with the company, it would be another few years before the division really started taking off.
Still, there's no question Chyna was one of the most recognizable wrestlers during her prime, and she helped set the stage for the likes of Trish and Lita to take women's wrestling even further.
The official cause of death is unknown.
According to local police, the wrestling personality was found unresponsive in bed after not answering her friend’s calls for a few days.
“There are no indications or signs that her death was the result of foul play,” police said.
Chyna, whose real name is Joanie Laurer, last appeared in an odd YouTube video posted Sunday morning.
Her manager confirmed her death to Pennacchio. WWE announced the news later in the evening.
“It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero. Joanie Laurer aka Chyna, the 9th wonder of the world has passed away. She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her,” the post read.
Chyna appeared in several TV shows over the last two decades, including VH1’s “Surreal Life” and “Celebrity Rehab.” She also guest starred on “3rd Rock from the Sun” and “The Nick Cannon Show.”
According to the Internet Wrestling Database, Chyna's final match in WWE came at Judgment Day 2001, and after that, she had brief spells with New Japan Pro Wrestling and TNA.
The timing of her departure from WWE meant she missed out on the resurgence of women's wrestling with the promotion. While Trish Stratus, Molly Holly, Jacqueline and Lita were all with the company, it would be another few years before the division really started taking off.
Still, there's no question Chyna was one of the most recognizable wrestlers during her prime, and she helped set the stage for the likes of Trish and Lita to take women's wrestling even further.
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