What Happened to Chyna the Wrestler? How Did She Die?
by Janani
Updated May 08, 2023
Who was Chyna?
Chyna was a famous American professional wrestler, bodybuilder, pornographic actress, and television personality. She gained significant recognition in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) starting in 1997, where she was billed as "The Ninth Wonder of the World" (André the Giant being the eighth wonder). Chyna played a vital role as the first female enforcer in the iconic stable D-Generation X. Throughout her career, she achieved notable feats, including winning the WWF Intercontinental Championship twice (making her the only female performer to do so) and the WWF Women's Championship once.
Chyna made history as the first woman to participate in the Royal Rumble match and the King of the Ring tournament, and she even became the number one contender for the WWF Championship. Her impact and popularity during the Attitude Era solidified her status as one of the era's biggest stars.
What Happened to Chyna The Wrestler?
After Chyna's passing, her remains were cremated, and her ashes were lovingly scattered into the Pacific Ocean. In December 2016, a detailed autopsy report was released, revealing the cause of her death. It concluded that on April 17, she tragically succumbed to an overdose of alcohol, combined with the presence of anxiety medications diazepam and nordazepam, painkillers oxycodone and oxymorphone, and a sleeping aid called temazepam.
In December 2016, a comprehensive autopsy report was made public, providing insights into Chyna's cause of death. It was revealed that on April 17, she tragically passed away due to an overdose involving a combination of alcohol, anxiety medications diazepam and nordazepam, painkillers oxycodone and oxymorphone, as well as a sleeping aid called temazepam.
How Did the Wrestler Chyna Die?
Laurer's life came to a tragic end on April 20, 2016, when she was discovered deceased at her residence in Redondo Beach, California. At the age of 46, her untimely passing shocked many. Concerns arose when her manager, Anthony Anzaldo, noticed the absence of updates or content on her usual social media platforms for several days, leading him to find her lifeless body in her apartment.
Initial reports from the police indicated that her cause of death appeared to be either an accidental drug overdose or natural causes. Anzaldo proposed that any overdose was unintentional, explaining that while she was prescribed medications, she tended to use them improperly.
When Did Chyna The Wrestler Die?
Chyna The Wrestler died on April 17, 2016, in Redondo Beach, California, U.S. She died at the age of 46. Following her departure from the WWF in 2001, Chyna had sporadic wrestling stints, including with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in 2002 and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2011. Her involvement with TNA marked her final appearance in the wrestling ring.
In 2005, Chyna became a cast member on VH1's The Surreal Life, which opened the door to several other appearances in celebrity reality shows on the network. These included The Surreal Life: Fame Games in 2007 and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2008. In 2019, Chyna was posthumously honored by being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of D-Generation X. This historic achievement made her the first woman to be inducted as part of a group or team.
Is Chyna The Wrestler Dead?
Yes, Chyna The Wrestler is dead. According to some sources, an autopsy of Chyna revealed that she died from a lethal combination of muscle relaxers, painkillers, and alcohol. The report stated that toxicology tests showed she had consumed a mix of alcohol, diazepam (Valium), nordazepam, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and temazepam, a medication used for treating insomnia. Her mother informed investigators that her daughter had a history of alcoholism, drank cheap wine, and was addicted to prescription medication. The 46-year-old had a documented medical history of drug abuse.
Chyna was discovered by her manager, Anthony Anzaldo, lying in bed at her Redondo Beach home on April 20. Decomposition had just begun to set in, and there was a pool of blood and foam from her nose and mouth on the pillow under her face. She was found lying on her right side, with her head resting on a stack of pillows, wearing a black tank top and patterned pants. During the investigation, multiple bottles of prescription medications, drug paraphernalia, and loose pills were found in her bedroom.
Days prior to her death, Chyna had posted a video on YouTube and a selfie on Instagram, displaying erratic behavior. Anzaldo claimed that Chyna had been using the legally prescribed pills improperly over a period of three weeks, leading to the accidental overdose. He denied any suggestion of suicide. Dr. Bennet Omalu, an expert on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), was expected to examine Chyna's brain to explore any potential connection between the degenerative brain disease and repetitive head trauma experienced by athletes in sports.
What Happened to Chyna The Wrestler - FAQs
Chyna was an American professional wrestler, bodybuilder, pornographic actress, and television personality.
Joan Marie Laurer was the real name of Chyna.
Chyna was 46 years old at the time of her death.
Chyna was born on December 27, 1969.
Chyna was born in Rochester, New York, U.S.