Matt Sayles/Associated Press
Former WWE women's champion Joanie Laurer, aka Chyna, died Wednesday at age 46, her manager, the coroner and police confirmed, perABC7's George Pennacchio.
The Redondo Beach Police Department saidLaurer's death is under investigation, perDavid Caplanof ABC News:
The Redondo Beach Police Department said in a statement, 'there are no indications or signs that the death was a result of foul play,' and added, 'events leading up to the death of [Lauer] is under investigation by the Redondo Beach Police Department to assist in the determination if the death was natural or accidental.'
The nature and cause of her death are under investigation by the Los Angeles County Coroner's department.
The statement explains, 'On April 20, 2016, Redondo Beach Police Officers were dispatched to an apartment unit in the 900 block of Esplanade. The Redondo Beach Police received a 9-1-1 call from a friend of the apartment unit resident that the female inside was not breathing. The friend told Redondo Beach Police that the female had not answered her phone in a few days, and went to the location to check on her welfare.'
TMZ reported on Thursday morning that Chyna did not commit suicide and had been dead for at least one day before being found:
Law enforcement sources tell us there was no suicide note left in her Redondo Beach, CA home. We're also told it appears theWWElegend had passed away a "day or two" prior to Wednesday evening ... when a friend found her body. The last known contact she had with anyone happened on Sunday evening.
As we first reported ... there were no illegal drugs, but officers did findlegal prescription bottles. Our sources described the number of bottles as 3 or 4 ... "nothing out of the ordinary." Also, the bottles were not emptied.
We're told several neighbors told investigators they suspected "overdose" as the cause of death since she'd seemed "under the influence" lately.
"It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real-life superhero," astatementon her official Twitter account said. "[Laurer], the Ninth 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."
WWEalsoreleased a statement:
WWE is saddened to learn of reports that [Laurer] has passed away.
A physically striking and talented performer, Chyna was a true sports-entertainmentpioneer. Not only was the Superstar dubbed 'TheNinth Wonder of the World' a founding member ofthe groundbreaking faction D-Generation X, but she also holds the distinction of beingthe first womanto enter the Royal Rumble Matchand the first andonlywomanto win the Intercontinental Championship.
See AlsoChyna, 1990s WWE wrestling star, dies in California at 46Chyna, Legendary Pro Wrestler And Entertainer, Has Died At Age 45... WWE extends its condolences to Laurer's family, friends and fans.
Chyna's manager, Anthony Anzaldo, said he is seeking permission to have Chyna's brain examined for CTE by Dr. Bennet Omalu, whom Will Smith portrayed in the movie Concussion, per Nancy Dillon of theNew York Daily News.
"We want to donate her brain. We want to know what made Chyna tick," Anzaldo said, per Dillon.
"When she died, they called me again and asked, 'Can we have her brain. My hope is that we can do it. I'm in the process of getting the permission to speak on behalf of family to tell the coroner it's OK to release it."
WWE EVP Talent, Live Events & Creative Triple H,WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon, former women's champions Trish Stratus, Lita, Victoria and Jacqueline, and current WWE Superstars Nikki Bella, Brie Bella, Charlotte and Natalya passed along condolences:
Chyna broke into WWE as Triple H's enforcer during his feud with Goldust in 1997:
Terri Runnels, who participated in that program, tweeted hercondolences:
Their partnership continued when Triple H and Shawn Michaels formed D-Generation X and also when Triple H joined The Corporation. During that time, she became known for her trademark low blow:
Stablemate Road Dogg Jesse James, as well as Hulk Hogan, Mick Foley, Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho, also released a statements on Twitter after the announcement:
After leaving Triple H's side, Chyna began an impressive singles career. According to WWE.com, she held the WWE Women's Championship for 231 days in 2001, and she's the first and only woman to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship, capturing the belt in October 1999 and then again in August 2000.
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 in the promotion. While 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 Stratus and Lita to take women's wrestling even further.
