MELROSE PLACE Shocker

From Michael Ausiello at EW.com:

MELROSE PLACE is back to its old dirty tricks. The CW's forthcoming reboot of the classic '90s sudser will launch this fall with the kind of bombshell revelation that would make Kimberly Shaw's legendary scar bust open. Unfortunately, unlike that iconic cliffhanger, there ain't a chance in hell this twist will remain unspoiled before it airs in September. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if this thing leaks in the next week or so. Or today. Or right now after the jump. (Yes, that was your warning. Seriously, this is a gigantic spoiler, so head for the exit if you don't want to know the bombshell at the center of MELROSE 2.0.)

The MELROSE pilot -- snippets of which were unveiled to advertisers at The CW's upfront presentation this morning -- has been shrouded in the kind of secrecy more typical of an episode of Lost than a trashy primetime soap. "The pilot script isn't being released to anyone -- not even to writers who are meeting on the show," an industry insider recently whispered. "There's apparently some twist involving Sydney that they're trying to keep under wraps."

It's under wraps no more: Someone murdered Sydney! Again!

Sources confirm to me exclusively that the dead body found floating face down in MELROSE's trademark pool in the opening minutes belongs to none other than Laura Leighton's bitchtastic ex-stripper. I'm told her death will set in motion a season-long murder mystery that finds nearly all of the show's principal characters -- particularly Syd's ex, Michael (Thomas Calabro) -- a possible suspect.

I know what you're probably thinking: They brought Sydney back to life only to kill her off in the first 10 minutes?! Sorta. Yes, she dies (for real) right out of the gate, but Leighton will be sticking around. An insider confirms that Sydney will be seen via flashback in multiple episodes. Said flashbacks will explain where's she's been and what really happened after she became road kill more than a decade ago.

I know what you're also probably thinking: Is this the story Heather Locker was pitched and ultimately turned down? Yes, that was supposed to be Amanda Woodward's bloodied corpse floating in the pool. But when Locklear nixed the offer, producers approached Leighton. (Mystery solved: Locklear killed Sydney!)