America’s full of mysteries. Because of the inability to track down the cause of many incidents, people had concluded a lot of cases to be unsolved. Recent American mysteries are no less spine shivering as any from the 1900s. One of these most recent cases was that of The Watcher. The Watcher case began in 2014 and was last active in 2017. This case revolves around the Broaddus family living in Westfield, New Jersey. The Broaddus family consists of Derek Broaddus, Maria Broaddus, and their 5,8, and 10-year-old children. Their neighborhood was listed as one of the top 30 safest community in America. In 2014, the Broaddus family planned to move into their six bed-room and $1.6 million dream house at 657 Boulevard which is a few blocks down from Maria’s childhood home. However, the family wanted to do some renovations on the house before moving in, and of course, they weren’t expecting much mails during that period until Derek found a white envelope in the mailbox. It was addressed to the “The New Owner,” and those words were in written clunky handwritings.
Inside the envelope, the letter said, “Dearest new neighbor at 657 Boulevard. Allow me to welcome you to the neighborhood. 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.” I see already that you have flooded 657 Boulevard with contractors so that you can destroy the house as it was supposed to be You have children. I have seen them. So far I think there are three that I have counted. 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 too [sic] me. 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. Look out any of the many windows in 657 Boulevard at all the people who stroll by each day. Maybe I am one. Welcome my friends, welcome. Let the party begin.” --The Watcher (signed in cursive font)
Derek and Maria decided to reach out to John Woods and Andrea Woods who were the owner of the house before the Broaddus bought it from them. They discussed the letter with each other, and the Woods family revealed that they had never received any letters like that in the 23 years of living in the house except for a few days before they moved out. The note was odd to them, but they disregarded without much concern. Later, the Woods family went to the Broaddus family to report the letter to the police. Detective Leonardo Lugo told the couples not to disclose the letters to anyone including their neighbors. Two weeks later another letter came. This time it contains information about the Broaddus children’s birth order and nicknames. The letter also wrote how the writer saw their daughter painting on an easel in an enclosed porch asking if she is the artist in the family. One possible reason that The Watcher knows the nickname of the children is because of the times that Maria brought the children to the new house to play after the first letter. She often yelled out their nicknames to make sure they are still around.
Then, Derek and Maria finally stopped bringing their kids to the new house and reconsidered moving into the house at all. A third letter came saying, “Where have you gone to? 657 Boulevard is missing you.” The investigation was put on hold at the end of the year because police could not find any hints leading to The Watcher. The case has become so stressful that Derek was suffering from depression while Maria was suffering from PTSD and both were dealing paranoia too. After six months into the arrivals of the letters, they had decided to sell their house. However, widespread rumors made buyers hesitant. Derek and Maria sued the Woods family for failing to tell them about the letter before they moved out.
Who's Behind the Bushes?
By: Connie Tan
2014-2017