Former WWE star Joanie "Chyna" Laurer was found dead Wednesday afternoon at her home in Redondo Beach, Calif, at the age of 45.
A friend of the wrestling legend-turned-reality star had not heard from her for a couple of days and went to her apartment to investigate. Laurer's friend found her unresponsive at her home and called 911. She was pronounced dead on the scene.
"Officers arrived on scene and discovered a deceased female inside the location," Sgt. Shawn Freeman, a spokesman for the city's police department, said in a statement. "There are no indications or signs that the death was a result of foul play. From the preliminary investigation, it appears that the deceased passed away prior to being discovered by the friend."
The cause of death is currently unknown, but police said that there was no evidence of foul play as a cause of death.
"It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero," an official statement released on her Twitter read. "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."
Laurer rose to fame as a professional wrestler in 1997 when she was named the "Ninth Wonder of the World" by the WWE. During her groundbreaking career, she became the first woman to win WWE's Intercontinental Championship in 1999 and won the Women's Championship in 2001. After she retired from wrestling in 2001, Laurer went on to star in a number of VH1 reality shows, including "The Surreal Life, "The Surreal Life: Fame Games" and "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew," which chronicled her struggle with addiction.
Many celebrities and WWE stars took to social media to remember Laurer. Check some of them out below:
RIP 9th Wonder of the World. Here's hoping WWE inducts you into the HOF. pic.twitter.com/PoqssR7I0M
— Jerry O'Connell (@MrJerryOC) April 21, 2016
Chyna. Rest in peace. — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 21, 2016
Devastated over Chyna passing,she dated Brutus years before wrestling,such a beautiful soul and so kind to my children,rip Joanie love u. HH — Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) April 21, 2016
Someone who wasn't afraid to blaze her own trail & create a path for those who would follow. A pioneer whose star shined bright. #RIPChyna — Triple H (@TripleH) April 21, 2016
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Joanie "Chyna" Laurer. https://t.co/EgNstScdcD #RIPChyna pic.twitter.com/oLSB509p7p — WWE (@WWE) April 21, 2016
Not even believing @ChynaJoanLaurer is gone. She's graduating early...God must have needed an angel.
— Brooke Hogan (@MizzHogan) April 21, 2016
Rest in peace Chyna. So sad. pic.twitter.com/FSkTQVKZHC — Crystal Hefner (@crystalhefner) April 21, 2016
I just heard the tragic news that @ChynaJoanLaurer has passed. She was truly a pioneer in our industry, and she will be missed. #RIPChyna
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) April 21, 2016
Shattered glass ceilings, kicked down doors, broke gender barriers, she was an anomaly & untouchable. Rest now-ur legacy lives on #RIPChyna — Trish Stratus (@trishstratuscom) April 21, 2016