In case you weren’t spooked enough by Netflix’s limited series, The Watcher, the show is even more alarming owing to the fact that the stalking culprit behind the letters addressed to 657 Boulevard is a real life person.
The seven-part series is based on the hair-raising story of Maria and Derek Broaddus who were unnerved to discover someone was watching their movements inside their new home in Westfield, New Jersey. When they first purchased the home in 2014, they were sent a letter signed off by someone named “The Watcher”. Three more letters arrived, each becoming increasingly personal. It appeared The Watcher was indeed watching them—but they couldn’t work out who it was.
Sufficiently creeped out, the Broaddus family rented out the house before selling it at a USD $400,000 loss in 2019. According to the new owners, the so-called Watcher hasn’t tried to contact them there.
The mysterious story is now front and centre in The Watcher, starring Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannavale as Nora and Dean Brannock, based on the Broadduses. Of course, being a dramatised television series, the true story was embellished a little for the screen, so if you’re wondering what the real life letters from The Watcher actually said, scroll on.
What did the letters from The Watcher say in real life?
In their first letter, The Watcher wrote: “Dearest new neighbour at 657 Boulevard, allow me to welcome you to the neighborhood.”
They then asked the Broadduses: “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.”
According to Today, The Watcher also referenced the Broadduses two young children, writing: “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.”
The Watcher continued “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.”
They concluded: “Welcome my friends, welcome. Let the party begin, The Watcher.”
Terrified? Same. Let’s delve into the other letters.
In their second letter, The Watcher further detailed how they were watching the Broaddusses in their home.
“All of the windows and doors in 657 Boulevard allow me to watch you and track you as you move through the house,” they wrote.
“Who am I? I am the Watcher and have been in control of 657 Boulevard for the better part of two decades now.”
In other letters, The Watcher claimed he or she knew their names.
“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,” The Watcher wrote.
Interestingly, they spelt their surname wrong in one letter, identifying them as “Braddus”.
The Watcher also called out the family for renovating the old home before they moved in, telling them:
“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.”
They added that the house was “crying from all the pain it is going through” while the family continued their rennovations.
“You have changed it and made it so fancy. You are stealing its history,” The Watcher wrote.
They also alluded to having lived at 657 Boulevard during the 1960s.
“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.”
When the Broadduses eventually rented out their house out, The Watcher reportedly addressed another letter to the couple, despite the fact they no longer lived there.
“To the vile and spiteful Derek and his wench of a wife Maria,” the Watcher wrote.
“You wonder who The Watcher is? Turn around idiots. Maybe you even spoke to me, one of the so called neighbours who has no idea who The Watcher could be. Or maybe you do know and are too scared to tell anyone. Good move.”
To this day, The Watcher has never been identified. State authorities have now labelled the investigation as inactive, though that will change if any legitimate leads or evidence is presented.
