The story of the house, located 45 km from Manhattan, is so famous that there is even a miniseries on Netflix inspired by the events. The new owners don't anticipate major problems with the new, impressive property. Instead, it should be their dream home in a beautiful area. It seemed perfect for travelers and those raising children.
A dream instead of happiness. All because of a series of terrible letters
In 2014, Broadus purchased 657 Boulevard in Westfield for $1.3 million. They couldn't wait for the renovation to be completed so they could finally live in their dream property. Their initial joy soon turned to terror, which grew with each letter.
Derek had just finished painting the walls when he went outside to check his mailbox. The letter contained a white envelope addressed to “New Owner”.. “Dear new neighbor of the house at 657 Boulevard. Welcome to the neighborhood,” it began innocently. After that it became even more terrifying.
“657 Boulevard has been the talk of my family for decades, and as it approaches its 110th birthday, I've been tasked with overseeing it. My grandfather saw the house in the 1920s, my father saw the house in the 1960s. Now is my time. Do you know the history of the house?” Do you know what hides behind the walls of 657 Boulevard? Why are you here? I'll find out,” the sender wrote.
The new owners were even more apprehensive because the letter writer mentioned the facts that he could only know if the property under surveillance was actually there. “I can already see you filling 657 Boulevard with contractors so you can destroy the house instead of leaving,” the author wrote. “Tsk, tsk, tsk… wrong move. You don't want to make 657 Boulevard miserable. Do you have children? I saw them. I think these are the three I've counted so far. Will you fill the house with young blood I asked? Better for me. Was your old home too small for your growing family? Or did greed bring your children to me? I will call them as soon as I know their names.
Maria and Derek are going home with their children ages 10, 8 and 5. After receiving the first letter, they continued with the renewals, although they had not yet decided to go.
After a while another letter arrived. “who am I?” – The teacher asked rhetorically. “Hundreds of cars pass by on 657 Boulevard every day. Maybe I'm in one of them? Look at all the windows you can see from 657 Boulevard. Maybe I'm in one of them? Look at one of the many windows. The house on 657 Boulevard, they might be one of those who walk by every day. This The letter concluded with the suggestion that the news would not be the last: “Welcome, friends, welcome. Let the party begin” — followed by the title in italics: “The Watcher.”
“The Observer” asked if children would play in the basement. “If you're upstairs, you won't hear them scream.”
At this point, Broadus was scared. Derek called the police, but the officers couldn't do anything for him. The couple contacted the previous owners, John and Andrea Woods, to see if they could shed any new light on the case and if they knew who the “viewer” might be. Andrea Woods admits that in the 23 years she's lived at 657 Boulevard, she's never received similar letters until last year. It contained information about a family that had been looking after the house for years. Woods thought the letter was a stupid joke and threw it away. However, the new owners could not sleep peacefully.
Several days later, the general restoration contractor informed Broadus that a heavy board they had installed in the yard had been removed by someone under the cover of darkness. Maria discovers another terrifying letter. “The workers were busy and I saw you unload your personal items. The trash can was a nice touch. Have they figured out what's on the walls yet? They'll do it in time,” she read.
“657 Boulevard can't wait for you to move in. It's been years since young blood ruled the halls of the house. Have you already discovered all the secrets it holds?” Will young blood play in the basement? Or they are afraid to go there alone. If I were them, I would be very scared. It is far away from the rest of the house. If you're upstairs, you'll never hear them scream. Do they sleep upstairs? Or will you all sleep on the second floor? Who has bedrooms facing the street? I'll find out once you get in. This will help you know who is in which bedroom. Then I can plan better,” wrote the “Observer.”
“All the windows and doors on 657 Boulevard allow me to watch and watch you as you walk around the house. Who am I? I'm a watcher and I've controlled 657 Boulevard for two decades. The Woods family has turned it over to you. It's time for them to go. 657 Boulevard is my work, my life, my passion. Welcome to the product of your greed! Greed is what brought the last three families to 657 Boulevard, and now it's what brought you to me. A good moving day. You know I'll be watching,” the letter added.
The “viewer” remained elusive. The house at 657 Boulevard changed hands
Out of fear, the couple stopped bringing their children to their new home and put their moving plans on hold. “Where did you go? 657 Boulevard misses you,” the Observer wrote in another letter. The police have opened their hands in this matter. Derek installed cameras and hired a private investigator, but this yielded no results.
Eventually, Broadus decided to rent the property. Even this did not stop the “Watcher” who spoke of revenge in his last letter. “Maybe a car accident. Maybe a fire. A simple illness like a mild illness that never goes away, but makes you sicker day by day. Maybe the mysterious death of a pet. Loved ones die suddenly. Planes crash. Cars and bicycles break down,” he says mysteriously. wrote In 2019, the Broaduses sold their house for PLN 400,000. hole Less than what they paid. “The Seer” remains elusive to this day.
This property was purchased by Andrew and Alison Carr for $959,000. hole The couple admits that they haven't received any letters from the mysterious “visitor” since buying the house, but the situation is still far from normal. In November 2022, the New York Post reported that Since the Cars bought the house, police have intervened at 657 Boulevard… 58 times. Two cases can be broken into the basement where the alarm is triggered. In December 2021, a carbon monoxide alarm went off on the second floor. A month later, an ambulance came to the house. The rest of the cases involved intruders who were curious about the history of the house and wanted to enter the property at any cost.
A number of conspiracy theories and potential suspects have emerged in the “Watcher” case, but all have stalled. The mystery of 657 Boulevard remains unsolved.
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