UPDATE x 6: According to TMZ, there was no suicide note left in Chyna’s Redondo Beach, CA home. Several neighbors told investigators they suspected “overdose” as the cause of death since she’d seemed “under the influence” as of late.
According to sources, friends of Chyna’s had been discussing an intervention which she didn’t know about. They were all planning to show up at her house and have a heart to heart conversation with the hope of getting her into a rehab facility.
Police also stated that it appears Chyna had passed away a “day or two” prior to Wednesday evening but nobody knew. The last contact she had with anyone was on Sunday evening.
UPDATE x 5: Triple H posted the following on Twitter, commenting on the passing of Chyna…
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
Here are TONS of other current and former Superstars reacting to her passing:
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
I got this news a few hours ago and have been simply GUTTED since! Hate these 3 letters, RIP "Ms. Big Joanie" #FoundPeace
— Terri Runnels (@theterrirunnels) April 21, 2016
— ROH Wrestling (@ringofhonor) April 21, 2016
Shit. Really? Chyna?
— Rob Van Dam (@TherealRVD) April 21, 2016
R.I.P. CHYNA pic.twitter.com/FJ6PuW2zsr
— Rob Van Dam (@TherealRVD) April 21, 2016
Chyna. Rest in peace.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) April 21, 2016
Thoughts and prayers go out to Chyna's family. She was always cool with me. #Rip9thWonder
— James Storm (@JamesStormBrand) April 21, 2016
She broke barriers and changed women's wrestling forever. Who knows where most of us would be without her #ripchyna
— Traci Brooks (@TheTraciBrooks) April 21, 2016
I am heart broken completely heart broken!!!
#RIPChyna— D'Lo Brown (@dlobrown75) April 21, 2016
I had been in contact recently with @ChynaJoanLaurer to guest on The Ross Report.
Unfortunately now that will never happen.
RIP Joanie
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) April 21, 2016
Condolences to the family & friends of @ChynaJoanLaurer. Hopefully her troubled soul has found peace.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) April 21, 2016
Such a sad day. I will be staying off social media for a few days. This news broke my heart
— Lisa Marie Varon (@REALLiSAMARiE) April 21, 2016
You will always be in our hearts. Thank you for everything you have done for women in this crazy… https://t.co/1Zxcrog33d
— Lisa Marie Varon (@REALLiSAMARiE) April 21, 2016
I can't believe @ChynaJoanLaurer is gone. I'm grateful I was able to tell her how amazing she was to me. #ToTheCelloPlayingAngel #RIPChyna
— Melina (@RealMelina) April 21, 2016
They will. But It breaks my heart… I wish she would have been inducted into the Hall of Fame while she was alive. https://t.co/qEC4eImHuV
— Melina (@RealMelina) April 21, 2016
Coming home from @knokxpro training tonight only to hear this . Rest easy my friend . Thank you… https://t.co/7gCE86yBfo
— JR RIKISHI FATU (@TheREALRIKISHI) April 21, 2016
Ouch…. Heavy heart tonight! #ripchyna. I literally got a pain in my tummy for this one. A true women's wrestling idol! #godbless
— Jillian Hall (@Jillianhall1) April 21, 2016
My heart goes out to the family & friends of @ChynaJoanLaurer Another one gone too soon. #RIPChyna
— Chavo Guerrero jr. (@mexwarrior) April 21, 2016
I'm sure Eddie is welcoming u into God's Kingdom #RIPChyna #RIPEddie RT @maxthephotog: @mexwarrior @ChynaJoanLaurer pic.twitter.com/H5TN0C2zyD
— Chavo Guerrero jr. (@mexwarrior) 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
All I can say is that Chyna was always incredibly kind to me. I never forgot that. Life can be rough even to the strongest amongst us.
— Gregory Shane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) April 21, 2016
Death always has a way of putting things into perspective. And that perspective, it seems, can be hard to swallow. …
— Gregory Shane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) April 21, 2016
#RIPChyna – May you bask in tranquility. https://t.co/BCqkgx4RNx
— #StrongerThanDeath (@MATTHARDYBRAND) April 21, 2016
RIP Joannie "Chyna" Laurer. #WWE
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) April 21, 2016
A life can not be summed up in 140 characters. Chyna broke barriers and made people look at women in wrestling a whole new way.#RIPChyna
— David Lagana (@Lagana) April 21, 2016
The epitome of the word pioneer. Godspeed my fellow Kowalski alum Chyna. You reinvented what a female wrestler is. May you be at peace.
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) April 21, 2016
I met Chyna months before I began training with Killer Kowalski. I asked her for advise. She said "It's hard work. Bust your ass!" #ripchyna
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) April 21, 2016
RIP Chyna Gone far 2 soon, it's just heartbreaking losing so many of the @wwe family-may her fam n friends have peace at this time#ripchyna
— ☆ Ashley Massaro ☆ (@ashleymassaro11) April 21, 2016
Happy to have met you, laugh with you and work with you. GOD BLESS. #RIPChyna @ChynaJoanLaurer
— Bubba Ray Dudley (@BubbaRayDudley) April 21, 2016
Shocked to hear the news about @ChynaJoanLaurer she was always so kind and such an important woman and pioneer to this business #RIPChyna
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) April 21, 2016
A true pioneer for women's wrestling, we will never forget @ChynaJoanLaurer. Thank u for paving the way for us. God bless you #RIPChyna
— Lauren/Angelina Love (@ActualALove) April 21, 2016
We are losing too many too fast and too soon. Very sad news @ChynaJoanLaurer #RIP
— Bobby Roode (@REALBobbyRoode) April 21, 2016
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Joanie "Chyna" today. RIP Joanie.
— Ted DiBiase (@MDMTedDiBiase) April 21, 2016
Thank you Chyna 4 being a huge inspiration in my wrestling journey!You are a motivation to many & will leave a mark 4 powerful women! #wwe
— Dana Brooke WWE (@DanaBrookeWWE) 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
Tragic to hear about the passing of Chyna. A true pioneer. #RIPChyna
— Becky Lynch (@BeckyLynchWWE) April 21, 2016
@ChynaJoanLaurer was an influence to me as a child. She made me think women could do anything in the ring. #RIPChyna #9thWonderOfTheWorld
— Athena Reese (@Athena_Reese06) April 21, 2016
So sad to hear about Chyna. #RIPChyna
— Zack Ryder (@ZackRyder) April 21, 2016
UPDATE x 4: TMZ.com is reporting that prescription pills bottles were found in Joanie’s home but no illegal drugs were found. She reportedly had a script for all the bottles that were found in her home. The site also reports that nobody had heard from her in the past few days and when a friend went to go check up on her, they found her unresponsive in a bedroom of her home. The site reports,
We’ve learned she was in her apartment in Redondo Beach, CA … south of L.A. — and police got the call around 7:30 PM. Our law enforcement sources say she had not been seen or heard from for a few days. A friend went to check on her today and found her unresponsive in the bedroom of her home and made the call to police.
Officers are on scene right now. We’re told they are investigating as a possible overdose, due mainly to her history with drugs. Prescription bottles were found in the home, but there were no illegal drugs … according to our sources.
Cops say there are no signs of foul play.
UPDATE x 3: WWE.com posting the following regarding the death of Joanie “Chyna” Laurer:
WWE is saddened to learn of reports that Joanie Laurer, best known for competing in WWE as Chyna, has passed away.
A physically striking and talented performer, Chyna was a true sports-entertainment pioneer. Not only was the Superstar dubbed “The Ninth Wonder of the World” a founding member of the groundbreaking faction D-Generation X, but she also holds the distinction of being the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble Match and the first and only woman to win the Intercontinental Championship.
Upon hearing the sad news, WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon tweeted the following:
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
WWE extends its condolences to Laurer’s family, friends and fans.
UPDATE x 2: Stephanie McMahon tweeted the following regarding the passing of Joanie “Chyna” Laurer:
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
Joanie “Chyna” Laurer posted this video to her YouTube.com page on Sunday. This gives you an idea about the shape she was in during what turned out to be her finals days:
UPDATE: TMZ.com posted the following article, saying her death may be the result of an overdose.
WWE legend Chyna — real name Joanie Laurer — has died … and officials are investigating as a possible overdose, TMZ Sports has learned.
TMZ Sports has learned she was in a home in Redondo Beach, CA … south of L.A. — and police got the call around 7:30 PM. Officers are on scene right now. We’re told they are investigating as a possible overdose … due mainly to her history with drugs.
Chyna was 45-years-old.
A statement was posted to Chyna’s official Twitter account confirming the death … saying, “It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero.”
“She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her.”
Laurer was discovered Wednesday evening according to ProWrestlingSheet.com.
Chyna was a game changer during her stint with the WWE — famously teaming up with Triple H to become one of the original members of D-Generation X. She was also the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble.
Chyna went on to pose for Playboy before transitioning to reality TV. She appeared on “The Surreal Life” in 2005.
Later, Chyna got into porn … releasing 6 films from 2004 to 2013.
She later went to Japan to teach English.
Chyna struggled with addiction for years — and appeared on “Celebrity Rehab” back in 2008.
She posted a video to her YouTube page earlier this week — she looked like she was struggling.
Story developing …
ORIGINAL: Former WWE star Joanie Laurer (aka Chyna) has passed away, according to her management team on Twitter. They posted the following statement:
“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. “
#RipChyna all of us on team Chyna love you and will love you forever babe.
Felix pic.twitter.com/jOfbHUAI2j
— Chyna (@ChynaJoanLaurer) April 21, 2016
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