The Watcher Letters: Family Dream Home Turned Nightmare

Maria and Derek Broaddus thought they had found their dream home when they purchased a six-bedroom house at 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey.

They soon realized they weren’t the only ones interested in their new home.

After moving in 2014, they started receiving terrifying letters from an unknown person calling themselves “The Watcher.”

The letters described the house in detail and threatened the family in a way that left them feeling unsafe.

Despite numerous efforts to uncover the identity of “The Watcher,” the mystery remains unsolved.

This eerie tale has attracted significant attention, becoming the subject of a Netflix series and leaving many people curious about the true story behind the haunted house of Westfield.

The Watcher Terrorizes the Broaddus Family

Move to Westfield

In June 2014, Derek and Maria Broaddus purchased a six-bedroom house at 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey.

The couple bought the $1.3 million home with high hopes for a fresh start.

Shortly after closing on the property, they received a disturbing letter from an anonymous writer known as “The Watcher.”

This letter, and others that followed, contained threats and personal details about the Broaddus family. The Broaddus family found the content alarming and unsettling.

Personal Background

Maria Broaddus grew up in Westfield, not far from the new home they purchased.

She had hoped to settle back into the familiar community with her own family.

Derek Broaddus worked hard to provide a comfortable lifestyle for his family.

Just before buying the house, he celebrated his 30th birthday, marking a significant milestone in his life.

They have three young children who were also impacted by the unsettling events.

After struggling with the stress and fear brought on by the letters, the Broaddus family decided to sell the home in 2019 for about $959,000, which was significantly less than what they had paid.

This decision was driven by their desire for peace and security over financial loss.

The Letters

Just days after closing the deal, in June 2014, the Broaddus received the first of the threatening letters.

The letter claimed to be from “The Watcher,” who alleged to have been watching the house for decades.

The letter mentioned specific details about their family and their plans for the house.

The Watcher also warned the Broadduses against making changes to the property.

Here is what the first letter said:

“Dearest new neighbor at 657 Boulevard, allow me to welcome you to the neighborhood. How did you end up here? Did 657 Boulevard call to you with its force within? 657 Boulevard has been the subject of my family for decades now and as it approaches its 110th birthday, I have been put in charge of watching and waiting for its second coming. My grandfather watched the house in the 1920s and my father watched in the 1960s. It is now my time. Do you know the history of the house? Do you know what lies within the walls of 657 Boulevard? Why are you here? I will find out. Who am I? There are hundreds and hundreds of cars that drive by 657 Boulevard each day. Maybe I am in one. Look at all the windows you can see from 657 Boulevard. Maybe I am in one. Do you need to fill the house with the young blood I requested? Better for me. Was your old house too small for the growing family? Or was it greed to bring me your children? Once I know their names I will call to them and draw them to me. Welcome my friends, welcome. Let the party begin, The Watcher.”

Two weeks after the first letter, the Broaddus family received a second letter, saying in part “All of the windows and doors in 657 Boulevard allow me to watch you and track you as you move through the house. Who am I? I am the Watcher and have been in control of 657 Boulevard for the better part of two decades now.”

Additional letters were sent, with the next one naming the children, saying specifically, “I am pleased to know your names now and the name of the young blood you have brought to me. You certainly say their names often.”

Another chilling letter detailed the fact that the Broaddus family had not yet moved in as they were doing renovations on the home. What was telling here is the renovations were all inside the house and one could not tell anything was happening simply by looking at the outside of the house.

“657 Boulevard is anxious for you to move in. It has been years and years since the young blood ruled the hallways of the house. Have you found all of the secrets it holds yet? Will the young blood play in the basement? Or are they too afraid to go down there alone. I would (be) very afraid if I were them. It is far away from the rest of the house. If you were upstairs you would never hear them scream.”

“The house is crying from all of the pain it is going through. You have changed it and made it so fancy. You are stealing its history. It cries for the past and what used to be in the time when I roamed its halls. The 1960s were a good time for 657 Boulevard when I ran from room to room imagining the life with the rich occupants there. The house was full of life and young blood. Then it got old and so did my father. But he kept watching until the day he died. And now I watch and wait for the day when the young blood will be mine again.”

Another letter called out Derek and Maria by name, saying, “To the vile and spiteful Derek and his wench of a wife Maria. “You wonder who The Watcher is? Turn around idiots,” the letter read. “Maybe you even spoke to me, one of the so-called neighbors who has no idea who The Watcher could be. Or maybe you do know and are too scared to tell anyone. Good move.”

The Investigation

Upon receiving the first threatening letter, the Broadduses immediately contacted the Westfield Police.

The police took the letters seriously and began an investigation. They advised the family not to tell their neighbors about the letters, as they might all be suspects.

Despite their efforts, no concrete evidence surfaced initially.

The police conducted interviews with the Broadduses and the previous owners.

Neighbors were questioned, but no leads were found.

Surveillance was set up around the house in hopes of catching the culprit, but “The Watcher” remained elusive.

Search for Suspects

The family and the police considered several potential culprits, including neighbors and previous owners.

Each neighbor’s history and behavior were scrutinized.

One neighbor was particularly suspicious due to their extensive knowledge of the house’s interior.

The police also considered the possibility of a jilted bidder for the house but found no solid evidence.

Legal complaints were considered, but without a clear suspect or concrete evidence, these actions seemed futile.

Use of Private Investigators

Seeking additional help, the Broadduses hired private investigators.

These investigators used various methods, including surveillance and forensic genealogy, to identify “The Watcher.”

They analyzed the letters for DNA evidence and handwriting similarities.

Experts reviewed the language and tone of the letters to create a profile of the suspect.

Although they provided some leads, the private investigators ultimately did not solve the case.

The family’s efforts to find peace were met with continual frustration as the true identity of “The Watcher” remained unknown.

Neighborhood Impact

Residents were initially taken aback by the chilling messages sent to the Broaddus family.

The unsettling nature of the letters caused many to worry about their safety.

Rumors swirled among neighbors, each speculating about who might be behind the creepy correspondence.

People living nearby started taking extra precautions, installing security cameras, and being more vigilant at night.

Conversations at local gatherings often centered on the mystery, heightening anxiety and curiosity.

The incident disrupted the sense of peace and safety that had characterized the area previously.

Support from Community

Despite the fear and uncertainty, many neighbors rallied around the Broaddus family, offering their support.

Friends of the Broaddus family provided comfort and assistance.

Acts of kindness, such as delivering meals or simply checking in, became common.

The community’s collective efforts helped the family cope with the stress.

Some neighbors even helped them investigate the letters, hoping to unmask the culprit.

This outpouring of solidarity demonstrated the strength and compassion within the community, counterbalancing the fear brought on by the mysterious intruder.

Ongoing Mystery of The Watcher

In the end, the Broaddus family never moved into the home. They rented it out for a few years before listing it for sale.

The house was sold in 2019 for $959,000.

The new owners never received letters from The Watcher.

To this day, the identity of The Watcher remains unknown.

Various theories have been proposed, including the possibility that it might be a neighbor or someone connected to the house’s past.

The letters received by the Broaddus family contained disturbing references such as “young blood” and “dark force within.”

These unsettling messages mentioned the second coming, adding to the family’s anxiety.

Although the police investigated, there have been no definitive answers or arrests related to the case.

This unsolved mystery continues to intrigue and frighten both the Broaddus family and the public.

The story has gained widespread media attention, including a Netflix adaptation, ensuring that the eerie tale of The Watcher remains in the public eye.

You can watch the full trailer below.