Former Pro Wrestler Chyna Found Dead In Redondo Beach

REDONDO BEACH (CBSLA.com/AP) — Chyna, the WWE star who became one of the best-known and most-popular female professional wrestlers in history has died, CBS Los Angeles has learned.

Los Angeles County coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz says Chyna, whose real name is Joan Marie Laurer, was found dead in Redondo Beach on Wednesday.

Dietz said his investigator was still at the location with the body late Wednesday night, and he had no further information on the death.

A statement posted to Laurer's official Facebook page indicated:

"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."

Just four days before her death, Chyna posted a video message to her fans online. In the video, she is seen slurring her words.

Though a cause of death has not been released, her manager said foul play was not suspected.

The tall, muscle-bound, raven-haired Chyna billed herself as the "9th Wonder of the World" because her wrestling predecessor Andre the Giant had already called himself the eighth.

Rising to prominence in the late 1990s, she was a member of the wrestling squad that dubbed itself "D-Generation X," often wrestled against men and at one point was the WWE women's champion.

Chyna was 45.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)