lynsey is found dead by brendan brady (emmett j. scanlan). her death sparks a "whodunit storyline" as a "number of suspects had a motive for wanting to get rid of her". a promotional image revealed six suspects for the murder which did not include doctor browning. daniel kilkelly of digital spy said that although doctor browning is not an official suspect fans of the serial had speculated that doctor browning could be lynsey's murderer due to his issues with lynsey. a series of interactive videos released by the official "hollyoaks" website later listed doctor browning as one of seven "main suspects" for the murder, with viewers able to interrogate the suspects. on 17 august 2012 during e4's first look episode it was revealed doctor browning had killed lynsey when jacqui mcqueen (claire cooper) finds the murder weapon, lynsey's scarf, amongst doctor browning's possessions. "hollyoaks" official website said doctor browning's motives in killing lynsey were "presumably to protect mercedes". the aftermath of jacqui's discovery, including doctor browning's explanation of his motives and kidnapping of mercedes, boosted "hollyoaks" ratings.