Chyna, the former World Wrestling Entertainment women’s champion who was born in Londonderry, was found dead on Wednesday in her California home.
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The investigation into Laurer’s death is ongoing and the coroner’s office told FOX411 an autopsy will be done in the coming days.
“She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her”, a statement reads on her Twitter profile.
In February 1997, Chyna made her WWF debut and two years later she qualified for the King of the Ring tournament, becoming the first woman to do so. She teamed up with Shawn Michaels and Triple H to become one of the original members of D-Generation X. The group ended up being one of the most influential factions in WWE history, and as the only female, Chyna played an integral role.
Another former WWE female wrestler Trish Stratus, who had fought several times against Chyna on the wrestling ring, tweeted: “Shattered glass ceilings, kicked down doors, broke gender barriers, she was an anomaly & untouchable”.
Following her stint with the WWE, Chyna appeared on the independent wrestling circuit and also transitioned into the adult entertainment world, releasing six pornographic films between 2004-2013. She would then form an alliance with the late Eddie Guerrero in 2000, culminating with her winning the intercontinental Championship belt. A pioneer whose star shined bright.
The WWE star, who was found dead Wednesday, posted a video on Sunday titled “Wake Up!” to her more than 11,000 YouTube subscribers. The company that she changed and helped make an image for herself with, left Chyna high and dry and seemingly didn’t want to have anything to do with her, because of the only other option she felt that she had. Her struggles with substance abuse were documented on the show Celebrity Rehab in 2008. Her singles victories over prominent male wrestlers included multiple-time world champions Triple H, Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, and Jeff Jarrett. Neighbors also say that Chyna seemed “under the influence” of drugs in the days before her death.
She joins a long list of WWE professional wrestlers who have died relatively young, including Rick Rude, Curt “Mr. Perfect” Hennig, the Ultimate Warrior and Owen Hart.
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The legendary Hulk Hogan also mourned Chyna’s death.
