Former American professional WWE wrestler and porn star Chyna dies aged 45

Former professional WWE wrestler and porn star, Chyna, has died aged 45.

Her manager confirmed the news on her Twitter page.

"It is with deep sadness to inform you today that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero," said a message. "She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her."

Chyna was found dead at her home in Redondo Beach, California, after returning home recently from Japan.

Police say they were responding to an emergency call from one of Chyna's friends when they found her dead in her flat. 

Redondo Beach Police said in a statement that the friend had gone to check on Chyna after she had failed to answer her phone for a few days. 

The friend told an emergency services operator that the former wrestler wasn't breathing.

Earlier this week she posted a 13-minute YouTube video in which she talks about trying to set up a fresh food business.

Chyna appears to slur some of her words and at times looks muddled.

She struggled with addiction throughout her career and appeared on Celebrity Rehab in 2008 with Dr Drew.

Chyna, whose real name was Joan Laurer, will be remembered as one of the most successful female wrestlers of all time.

In 1999 she competed at the Royal Rumble and King of the Ring.

She was also the first woman to be considered the number one contender to the WWF Championship, as it was known then (WWF was renamed WWE in 2002).

She was a member of the wrestling squad that called itself D-Generation X and was known as the "Ninth Wonder of the World".

Chyna was the women's champion until she was released by WWE in 2001.

She beat several prominent male wrestlers - including multiple world champions Chris Jericho, Triple H, Jeff Jarrett and Kurt Angle.

She was named last year as one of the most impactful women ever in the sport.

After leaving wrestling, Chyna appeared in Playboy Magazine twice before appearing on several reality TV shows including The Surreal Life in 2005.Chyna then went into the porn business making six films between 2004 and 2013, including 1 Night in China (a sex tape recorded with her ex, WWE star Sean Waltman) and Avengers XXX: A Porn Parody.

After leaving pornography, she became an English teacher in Japan and went vegan.