The True Story Behind the Mysterious Case Known as ‘The Watcher'

The Watcher has become one of Netflix’s most talked-about shows, as the true story has both terrified and fascinated audiences. The show about a family being harassed by someone who’s obsessed with their new house seems completely made up. However, the twisted tale is actually based on a real-life couple’s experiences. So, which parts were facts and which were fiction? Read on to find out…

Derek and Maria Broaddus

Derek and Maria Broaddus are the real-life Dean and Nora Brannock who bought a house on 657 Boulevard in Westfield, New Jersey. The purchase was made back in 2014 and the house set the Broaddus family back a whopping $1.3 million.

Sadly, Maria and Derek's dream home was about to turn into a nightmare. There's nothing worse than feeling unsafe in your own home, but it's a concept that's all too relatable. Perhaps that's why The Watcher has garnered such an audience.

A Family of Five

Despite Netflix's version of The Watcher portraying a family of four, the real Broaddus clan is a family of five. Maria and Derek have three children - two girls, and one boy.

Furthermore, the real kids were all under the age of 10 at the time, as opposed to teenagers as they're depicted in the show. If you're now worried about the storyline of Ellie dating Dakota - rest assured that part was entirely made up.

The First Letter

Three days after the Broaddus family moved in, they received their very first letter from the Watcher. The note was handwritten and the envelope was addressed to "The New Owner."

Derek noticed the letter at 10 pm and immediately called the police - who were shocked that this was happening in their low-crime neighborhood. In fact, the responding officer is reported as having exclaimed "What the (...) is this?" Maria and Derek were officially spooked, and rightfully so.

What the Letter Said

The first letter read as follows: "Dearest new neighbor at 657 Boulevard, allow me to welcome you to the neighborhood. 657 Boulevard has been the subject of my family for decades now..."

"... 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."