If you’ve watched Netflix’s new limited series, The Watcher, we’re willing to bet you’re at least little apprehensive to check your own letterbox. But what’s even more distressing is the fact that the letterbox of 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey still exists (and also likely regularly checked) to this very day.
The true (and very ominous) story has become the subject of the seven-part series which follows Dean and Nora Brannock (Bobby Cannavale and Naomi Watts) who move into their dream New Jersey home, only to become the recipients of letters from a creepy stalker claiming to be one of several generations of “Watchers” who keep a close eye on the house. The threatening letters contain unexplainable specific and personal information about the home’s habitants, and while they don’t know who the so-called Watcher is, their neighbourhood is less than welcoming, nor helpful in investigating the matter further.
While watching the gripping series, it’s only natural to wonder what has become of the house today, particularly given the real life couple Derek and Maria Broaddus managed to sell it several years after their regretful purchase in 2014.
657 Boulevard now
The Broadduses didn’t last long in 657 Boulevard. After buying it in 2014 and realising there was, y’know, a full-blown stalker apparently watching their every move, they justifiably decided they’d depart the premises pronto.
Multiple reports claim Derek and Maria didn’t sugar coat the house to the new dwellers, in fact, they went out of their way to expose The Watcher’s antics publicly in order to identify them, but still, the new renters moved in and apparently lived there. The bravery is beyond.
In 2019, the Broaddus family managed to sell the house for USD $959,000 (approximately AUD 1.5 million), which was USD $400,000 lower than their purchase price.
It’s understood that the house remains under the same ownership.
Did The Watcher keep writing letters?
According to the current owners, The Watcher hasn’t sent any letters since the Broaddus family left.
The Cut reports that Derek and Maria Broaddus gave the new new owners some warning by taking a a photograph of The Watcher‘s handwriting, along with a note telling them: “We wish you nothing but the peace and quiet that we once dreamed of in this house.”
Does anyone live in 657 Boulevard now?
While the house certainly has owners, it’s unknown as to whether they, or any lodgers live in the house.
What happened to The Watcher?
Alarmingly, The Watcher has never been identified in real life despite various investigations across police and the prosecutors office. The Broadduses themselves also spent years trying to uncover who the stalker was, but eventually, the police deemed the case inactive.
Still, perhaps the increased interest in the case upon the release of Netflix’s new series will revive the investigation. Stay tuned…
