The Watcher: The Creepy Letters That Forced a Family to Flee Their Dream Home
"You don’t want to make 657 Boulevard unhappy."
— The Watcher
Imagine finally buying your dream home… only to find out someone is watching you. Not just watching — but obsessing, threatening, and possibly living right among you.
In 2014, Derek and Maria Broaddus bought a stunning six-bedroom house at 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey. They planned to raise their three children there and enjoy the quiet, upscale neighborhood. But before they even moved in, the terror began.
The First Letter
Days after closing, Derek found a letter in the mailbox addressed simply to "The New Owner."
The anonymous writer — who called themselves "The Watcher" — claimed to have been watching the house for decades. The letter referenced:
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The Broaddus children by nickname
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Specific details about renovations
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A chilling promise to "bring young blood" into the house
The Threats Escalate
More letters followed, each more disturbing:
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"Do you need to fill the house with the young blood I requested?"
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"Have they found what is in the walls yet?"
The Watcher seemed to know everything: who was home, where the children played, even what rooms were being used.
The Psychological Toll
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The Broadduses were terrified. They hired private detectives, ex-FBI agents, and even set up surveillance.
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They never moved in. Instead, they stayed with Maria’s parents while trying to figure out what to do.
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Their dream turned into a nightmare so intense it destroyed their peace of mind — and nearly their finances.
A House No One Wants
Unable to sell the home due to the chilling letters, the Broadduses rented it out. New tenants also received Watcher letters — confirming it wasn’t a hoax targeted only at the Broaddus family.
Who Was The Watcher?
Despite extensive investigation:
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No fingerprints or DNA matched.
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Neighbors were questioned but no solid suspects emerged.
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Some believed it was an angry neighbor upset about renovations.
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Others suggested it might be a previous bidder who lost the house.
The true identity of The Watcher remains a mystery to this day.
The Story Lives On
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The case inspired countless articles, podcasts, and even a Netflix series, The Watcher.
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It remains one of America’s most chilling real estate nightmares and a true-life psychological thriller.
Final Thought
The Broaddus family’s story blurs the line between thriller and horror — proof that real life can be more frightening than fiction.
What would you do if The Watcher started writing to you?
Share your thoughts and theories in the comments. Follow Killer Thoughts and Twisted Plots every Thursday for real stories that read like thrillers — but are all too real.
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