Joanie Laurer, who overcame a troubled home life in Rochester, N.Y., to win an international following as the pro wrestler Chyna, has died at age 45, according to her official website and World Wrestling Entertainment. Police found her body at her home in Redondo Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, according to local media.

The news emerged after this message was posted to her Facebook page last night:

"It is with deep sadness to inform you today that 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."
With chiseled muscles and a nearly 6-foot frame, Laurer cut an imposing figure in the ring. She had a natural flair for entertainment and exploded onto the scene of professional wrestling during the sport's ascendance in the late 1990s.

Armed with training by the wrestler Killer Kowalski, she won Rookie of the Year honors in the PGWA (the Professional Girl Wrestling Association) in 1996. She then jumped to the bigger stage of the World Wrestling Federation (now the WWE), where she broke onto the scene as the bodyguard of male wrestler Triple H.