Friends, fans mourn wrestler Chyna
Friends and fans of World Wrestling Entertainment performer Chyna reacted with shock and sadness Thursday to news of her death. “She was truly a pioneer in our industry, and she will be missed,” tweeted Stephanie McMahon, an owner and executive with WWE. The tall, muscle-bound, raven-haired prowrestler, real name Joan Marie Laurer and sometimes billed as Chyna Doll, rocketed to popularity in the 1990s in the ring, transitioned briefly into Playboy and adult films and later revealed her struggles with addiction on reality TV. Police responding to a 911 call from a friend found her dead in her Redondo Beach apartment Wednesday. She was 46. Neither police nor coroner’s officials have released any cause of death but investigators said there were no indications of foul play. An autopsy was planned in the next few days.