The Watcher on Netflix: The True Story Behind Creator Dahmer’s New Series

Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s series, The Watcher, tells the story of an unhappy family’s nightmare, harassed by anonymous letters and oppressive neighbors. The origin of these threats? A house located at 657 Boulevard, Westfield, New Jersey.

Episode 7 revisits this drama straight out of a horror movie. Although the adventures are fictional for the needs of the series, the original story is very real and took place in 2014. Four years later, this news is gaining popularity Article Published in the columns of New York Magazine.

It all started in June 2014. Derek and Maria Broadus are a happy couple, parents of three children. Wife is from New Jersey and wants to settle near her childhood home. Her husband is a perfect example of class perversion. Coming from a working-class background, he rose to become a vice president of a Manhattan insurance company.

On his 40th birthday, Derek Broadus decides to buy his dream house. One that would become the scene of his worst nightmares days later. its price $1.3 million. A six bedroom colonial built in the heart of an idyllic neighborhood.

Just three days after their purchase, the father, who is repainting the house, receives the first anonymous letter, signed “Observer” – one who observes in French. addressednew owners“.

The letter starts out cordial, then the tone grows stronger and worries Derek Broadus. The author claims that the house was guarded and protected from generation to generation. “Do you know the history of this house? Do you know what is hidden in the walls of 657 Boulevard? Why are you here? I will find out.“

After these few lines, the stalker follows and threatens the couple’s children: “Should you fill the house with the new blood I asked for? It’s better for me. Was your old home too small for your growing family? Or is it greed that drives you to bring your children here? As soon as I know their names, I will call them and bring them to me.”

Two more letters are sent on June 18 and July 18, 2014. The content is even more horrifying each time: “Who sleeps in the room across the street? I’ll let you know as soon as you move. I could tell who was in which room so my plan would be even better.“

At that time, the family was not yet living in the building. Nevertheless, Derek Broadus takes the letters very seriously and hands them over to the police. Authorities share their theories: Jealous neighbors or buyers frustrated by not having a home could be the mysterious crow.

There is no doubt for the couple: the letter writer lives close to home. One of the texts even mentions the nicknames of the three children, meaning the stalker was close enough to hear everything.

The police first suspect the neighbor, but no concrete evidence can confirm their suspicions. A DNA trace is then taken from one of the letters. It is said that the DNA belongs to a woman, but the identity is not given.

Derek and Maria Broadus attack the previous owners of the house. They accuse them of hiding the threat of the “watcher”. Still, John and Andrea Woods say they have never received such a letter in twenty years.

Six months after the first letter, the couple leaves the house and decides to move somewhere else. No wonder they struggle to find new buyers. Rumors spread quickly in the neighborhood. Months and years pass, but the nightmare continues.

In February 2017, a tenant moves into the house – still owned by the Broaddu couple – and a fourth letter is sent. Its content is even more violent than the previous three.

Only in 2019 did Derek and Maria Brodus manage to sell the house. Sale price: $959,000, or $400,000 less than the purchase price. The new occupants remain cautious and say they never received the letters. The “viewer” was never an identity.

The Watcher, available on Netflix.