It is with deep sadness to announce that former WWE Women’s Champion Chyna (Joanie Laurer) has passed away at the age of 45.

According to reports, Chyna was found dead by a friend at an apartment in Redondo Beach, California. A statement on her official Twitter account reads, “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.”

A statement issued by the Redondo Beach Police department reads, “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. Officers arrived on scene and discovered a deceased female inside the location. 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.”

On behalf of Wrestling-News.Net, we would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Joanie “Chyna” Laurer