🇺🇸 United StatesThe Watcher of 657 Boulevard
The Story
In June 2014, Derek and Maria Broaddus bought a Dutch Colonial at 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey. Before moving in, they began receiving anonymous letters signed 'The Watcher,' claiming the sender's family had surveilled the house for generations and demanding blood. The Broadduses never moved in; police and private investigators failed to identify the author despite years of inquiry.
Images
Timeline
The Broaddus family receives the first letter signed 'The Watcher' before moving in.
A second letter arrives referencing the family's children by name.
The family sells the house at a loss after years of harassment and legal battles.
Known Evidence
How well-documented and physically verified the case evidence is.
- Multiple handwritten and typed letters addressed to the Broaddus family referencing the house by name.
- Specific knowledge of the family's renovation plans and children's names in early correspondence.
- DNA from one envelope that did not match primary suspects or neighbors tested.
- Westfield Police and private forensic linguistic analysis of letter language patterns.
Unresolved
What We Still Don't Know
- The identity of The Watcher and whether letters came from one person or multiple authors.
- Whether a neighbor, former owner, or unrelated hoaxer authored the correspondence.
- If subsequent letter campaigns after 2014 are connected to the original writer.
Hypotheses
Theories
Ranked by plausibility — highest first.
Local Neighbor or Former Owner
Someone with intimate knowledge of the house and family sent letters to intimidate or sabotage the sale.
Elaborate Hoax by a Third Party
An unrelated individual crafted convincing letters using publicly available closing and renovation details.
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