Derek and Maria Broaddus
Imagine buying your dream home, a place where you envision your children growing up, only to have that dream turn into a living nightmare. This is the chilling reality for Derek and Maria Broaddus, a couple whose story of a beautiful house and terrifying letters has captured worldwide attention. They purchased 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey, hoping for a peaceful suburban life.
Instead, they were plunged into a mystery that remains unsolved to this day, all thanks to a series of menacing letters from someone who called themselves “The Watcher.” This article explores the harrowing experience of the Broaddus family, from the exciting purchase of their new home to the psychological torment that forced them to abandon it. We will look into the details of the letters, the investigation that followed, and where Derek and Maria Broaddus are now.
Quick Bio: Derek and Maria Broaddus
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Names | Derek and Maria Broaddus |
| Children | Three children |
| Known For | Purchasing 657 Boulevard in Westfield, NJ, and receiving threatening letters from “The Watcher” |
| Home Purchase Date | June 2014 |
| Purchase Price | $1.35 million |
| Media Portrayal | Their story inspired the 2022 Netflix series “The Watcher” |
| Current Status | They sold 657 Boulevard at a loss in 2019 and have since moved to a different home in Westfield. |
Who Are Derek and Maria Broaddus?
Before they became central figures in a modern-day horror story, Derek and Maria Broaddus were a typical family with big dreams. Derek worked as a senior vice president at an insurance company in Manhattan, and Maria was a stay-at-home mom to their three young children. They had worked hard and saved for years to buy a home in Westfield, New Jersey, a town known for its excellent schools and family-friendly atmosphere. When they found 657 Boulevard, a stunning six-bedroom Dutch colonial, it seemed like the perfect place to raise their family. The house was everything they had hoped for. It was spacious, beautiful, and located in one of the country’s safest towns. Their story is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most ordinary lives can be thrown into extraordinary and terrifying circumstances.
The Dream Home at 657 Boulevard
In June 2014, Derek and Maria Broaddus closed on their new home for over $1.3 million. They were filled with excitement and began renovations before moving in. The house, built in 1905, was a local landmark, and they were proud to call it their own. The couple envisioned summer barbecues in the backyard and their kids playing happily within its walls. It was the culmination of a long-held dream to provide a stable and idyllic environment for their children. They invested not only their money but also their hopes for the future into this property. The idyllic setting in a quiet, affluent neighborhood made the events that followed even more shocking and hard to comprehend.
The First Chilling Letter Arrives
Just three days after closing on the house, the dream began to crumble. While checking the mail, Derek found a thick, white envelope addressed to “The New Owner.” There was no return address. Inside, a typed letter welcomed the family to the neighborhood but quickly took a dark turn. The writer, who identified themselves as “The Watcher,” claimed their family had been “watching” the house for generations. The letter contained unsettling details about the house and the Broaddus family, including the number and ages of their children. The writer referred to the children as “young blood” and asked, “Have they found what is in the walls yet?” This first letter was the beginning of a terrifying campaign that would haunt Derek and Maria Broaddus.
A Look Inside the Broaddus Letters
The initial letter was just the start. Over the next few weeks, more Derek and Maria Broaddus letters arrived, each one more specific and menacing than the last. “The Watcher” claimed to be the house’s protector and expressed displeasure with the renovations the family was doing. The letters asked chilling questions like, “Will the young blood play in the basement?” and “Who has the bedrooms facing the street? I’ll know as soon as you move in.” The writer mentioned specific details, such as the children’s nicknames, which led the family to believe they were being physically watched. These letters were not just vague threats; they were filled with personal information that created a constant state of fear and paranoia for Derek and Maria Broaddus.
The Investigation Begins: A Search for “The Watcher”
Terrified, Derek and Maria Broaddus immediately went to the Westfield police. An investigation was launched, but finding “The Watcher” proved to be incredibly difficult. The police interviewed neighbors, investigated previous owners, and even used DNA analysis on one of the envelopes, but no definitive suspect was identified. The family hired private investigators and even consulted with former FBI profilers. Several theories emerged. Some neighbors were considered suspects, including one family who lived nearby, but there was never enough evidence to make an arrest. The lack of answers only added to the family’s distress, leaving them feeling isolated and helpless against an invisible tormentor.
The Psychological Toll on the Family
The relentless threats from “The Watcher” took a severe psychological toll on Derek and Maria Broaddus. They never moved into 657 Boulevard, fearing for their children’s safety. The dream of a happy life in their new home was replaced by anxiety, sleepless nights, and constant fear. Derek described feeling like he was being watched everywhere he went. The stress strained their marriage and put their entire family under immense pressure. They were living in a constant state of high alert, unable to relax or feel safe. This story highlights the deep and lasting impact that psychological harassment can have, turning a symbol of success and happiness into a source of unending terror.
Why Didn’t They Move In?
The decision to never move into 657 Boulevard was a difficult but necessary one for the family. The letters were too specific and the threats too personal to ignore. “The Watcher” mentioned their children by name and seemed to know their every move. For Derek and Maria Broaddus, the safety of their kids was their top priority. Moving into the house would have meant living under the constant threat of an unknown person who had a disturbing obsession with their home and family. They couldn’t bear the thought of their children playing in a yard while a stranger watched from afar. The emotional and financial burden was enormous, but they felt they had no other choice.
The Struggle to Sell the House
Unable to live in the house and still paying the mortgage and property taxes, Derek and Maria Broaddus were in a financial bind. They decided to sell 657 Boulevard, but their ordeal made it nearly impossible. They disclosed the existence of “The Watcher” letters to potential buyers, which scared most people away. In 2016, they even tried to get permission from the Westfield Planning Board to tear down the house and build two new homes on the lot, but the proposal was rejected. The house became a financial albatross, trapping them in a nightmare they couldn’t escape. They even sued the previous owners for not disclosing a letter they had allegedly received, but the case was later dismissed.
Where Are Derek and Maria Broaddus Now?
So, what happened to Derek and Maria Broaddus now? In 2019, after five long years, they finally sold 657 Boulevard for $959,000, taking a financial loss of over $400,000. The couple and their children moved to another home in Westfield, using a limited liability company (LLC) to keep their new address private. They wanted to regain a sense of normalcy and protect their family from further public scrutiny. Despite the terrifying experience, they chose to stay in the town they had originally fallen in love with, determined to move forward and rebuild their lives away from the shadow of “The Watcher.”
Are Derek and Maria Broaddus Still Together?
One of the questions many people ask is, are Derek and Maria Broaddus still together? The immense stress and fear they endured would be enough to break any couple apart. However, Derek and Maria have remained a strong unit throughout their ordeal. They supported each other through the fear, financial strain, and public attention. Their commitment to their family’s safety and well-being was their guiding principle. Their story is not just one of terror, but also of resilience. They faced an unimaginable situation and managed to navigate it together, a testament to the strength of their relationship.
The Netflix Series and Public Reaction
In 2022, the story of Derek and Maria Broaddus was adapted into a popular Netflix series called “The Watcher.” While the show brought renewed attention to the case, it also took significant creative liberties, fictionalizing many aspects of the story for dramatic effect. The family was not involved in the creation of the series, though they did sell the rights to their story. The show’s popularity reignited public interest in the unsolved mystery, with internet sleuths proposing new theories. However, for the Broaddus family, the series was another reminder of a traumatic chapter they wished to leave behind.
The Unsolved Mystery of “The Watcher”
To this day, the identity of “The Watcher” remains a mystery. The case is one of the most perplexing unsolved mysteries in recent memory. Despite extensive investigations by police and private detectives, no one has ever been charged. The letters stopped after the Broaddus family sold the house. The new owners have not reported receiving any correspondence from “The Watcher.” This has led some to speculate about the writer’s motives. Was it a neighbor who didn’t want new people in the house? A former resident with a strange attachment? Or was it an elaborate and cruel prank? Without a confession or a break in the case, the unsettling story of Derek and Maria Broaddus and their haunted dream home remains without a conclusion.
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