Former WWE star Chyna, whose real name is Joanie Laurer was found dead in her California home Wednesday. Chyna was open about her strugle with alcohol and drug abuse and depression. Police are investigating whether the wrestler died from drug overdose or natural causes.

Chyna was found by her friend who immediately called 911 after she discovered the pro-wrestler wasn't breathing, ET Online reports. The friend apparently visited Chyna because the latter hasn't answered her calls for several days. Authorities note that there were no signs of struggle that indicated foul play and that Chyna already passed away prior to being found.

The coroner who examined Chyna's remains say that the preliminary investigation points to a possible drug overdose. Chyna was open with her struggles with addiction as she appeared in the TV show "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew" in the late 2000s. USA Today reports that the autopsy is scheduled to done over the next couple of days. Cause of death will only be determined after toxicology results will be completed.


LA Times reports that Chyna was called by WWE fans as the "9th Wonder of the World." In addition to being a pioneering WWE female wrestler, Chyna also wrote a New York best-selling autobiography book "If they Only Knew." She also had a brief stint in the adult entertainment industry and appeared on Playboy magazine.

Joanie "Chyna" Lauer was born in Rochester, New York. She graduated from the University of Tampa in the early 1990s. The people who knew Chyna during her Tampa University days were equally curious and devastated over the news, WFLA reports. They remember Chyna, then Joanie, as being so tall and different from her wrestling persona.

Several days before her death, Chyna posted a video on YouTube. She took the video on Sunday last week where she was seen making a smoothie and talking about her day. Watch it below:

Tags WWE