Is Netflix's The Watcher Based on a True Story?
Content warning: This article contains references to stalking some may find upsetting. Reader discretion is advised.
Fresh off of the massive success of DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Netflix is back with another unbelievable true crime offering. This time, the streaming service is sharing the frightening tale of a young family who gets stalked by a mysterious neighbor after they move into their brand-new house in The Watcher. And yes, if there were any doubts, this seven-part series is indeed based on a true story.
DAHMER producer Ryan Murphy is leading the charge as the series creator. The Watcher follows along as Dean (Bobby Cannavale) and Nora Brannock's (Naomi Watts) dream of moving into their picturesque home becomes a literal nightmare. The couple receives creepy letters from someone who calls themself The Watcher as they settle into their supposed humble abode. The creator of the ominous notes proclaims their duty to "watch over" the house, aka terrorizing the Brannock family with threatening messages. The Watcher reveals frightening details about the couple and their three children, forcing the Brannocks to contact the police and hire a private investigator to determine who was responsible for writing the letters.
The Watcher premiered on October 13 and left viewers wondering if the new series was true or not. If you're interested in discovering just how accurate the new series is, read ahead for everything we know about The Watcher.
Is The Watcher based on a true story?
News of the infamous letters first became public knowledge following an article posted by The Cut. According to the report, Derek and Maria Broaddus moved into 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey, between June and August 2014, but they never actually moved in. As they prepared the home, they began receiving threatening letters — the first was mailed to the couple before the former owners listed it for sale. In one of their earlier letters, Watcher exposed that John and Andrea Woods, the previous family who had lived in the home for 23 years, had moved away.
Per The Cut's article, The Watcher revealed personal details about the property, including the number of bedrooms and the fact that the home was nearly 110 years old. The Watcher even admitted that they previously spent time in the house in the 1960s.
According to CNN, the Broaddus family attempted to sue the former homeowners in 2015 for "fraudulent concealment, intentional, and negligent infliction of emotional distress" and other issues they experienced upon their move. The suit was ultimately dismissed. The previous owners claimed they received one letter from The Watcher that they ignored before moving out of the home.
During the suit, Derek testified that he hired a private investigator and an ex-FBI profiler to determine The Watcher's identity. According to CNN, the profiler concluded that The Watcher was "someone in their 50s or 60s" and lived nearby. At the same time, the private investigator reported that the neighbors in the Broaddus family's Westfield community didn't "seem normal."
While the Broaddus family never officially moved into 647 Boulevard, Derek and Maria sold the home in 2019. It is currently off the market, but Zillow estimates the house to be worth $1,502,000.
According to The Cut, the Broaddus family declined interviews and offers to create documentaries about their encounter with The Watcher. Derek told The Cut that he does not intend to watch the series.
Was The Watcher ever caught?
The mysterious case of The Watcher continues. According to CNN, Westfield Police and the Unity County prosecutor's office investigated the Broaddus family's claims, but no suspects have been publicly identified or charged with harassing the family.
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