Former WWE wrestling star Chyna dies at age 45

Chyna, the WWE star who in the 1990s became one of the best-known and most-popular female professional wrestlers in history, has died at age 45, authorities said.

According to reports, Chyna was found dead in Redondo Beach on Wednesday. Los Angeles County coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz said his investigator was still at the location with the body late Wednesday night, and he had no further information on the death.

The tall, muscle-bound, raven-haired Chyna, whose real name was Joan Marie Laurer, billed herself as the "9th Wonder of the World" in the WWE. She was a member of the wrestling squad that dubbed itself "D-Generation X," and often wrestled against men and at one point was the WWE women's champion.

"Today 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," said a statement on her official website.

Laurer was a New York native and graduated from the University of Tampa in Florida before taking up wrestling. She left the WWE in 2001 to appear in adult films and on reality TV.

She joins a long list of popular professional wrestlers who have died relatively young the Ultimate Warrior and Owen Hart.