‘Watcher’ House, New Jersey Home That Receives Threatening Messages, For Sale

The Westfield, N.J., residence, dubbed “The Watcher House” because of the series of creepy anonymous letters signed “The Watcher” received by its owners, is now for sale.

“Have they found what is in the walls yet?” reads one of the notes, “In time they will.”

The six-bedroom, which is in suburban New Jersey just 25 miles west of New York City, was originally purchased by Derek and Maria Broaddus for $1.355 million in 2014, but the owners are trying to sell it now for $1.25 million. They bought the house in June and received letters in both June and July.

The first letter read, “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.”

Ultimately they decided not to move in to the house, feeling that it wasn’t safe for them or their three children all under the age of 12 (as notes included comments like, “I am pleased to know your names now and the names of the young blood you have brought me” and “All of the windows and doors in (the house) allow me to watch you and track you as you move through the house”). They were unable to sell it at the time.

The couple also filed a suit against the previous owners, John and Andrea Wood, last January, claiming that they knew the existence of “The Watcher,” who still hasn’t been identified, and failed to disclose the information.

The Woods are mentioned in the chilling letters. One of the letters reads, “I asked the Woods to bring me young blood.” And another said, “The Woods family turned it over to you it was their time to move on and kindly sold it when I asked them to.”

The current owners want the Woods, both distinguished scientists, to refund them the full purchase price in addition to punitive damages. The previous owners say that they did receive on anonymous note in May 2014. Although they refuse to disclose the letter they claim that it wasn’t threatening. They believe that “The Watcher” is a fictitious character and responded with a counter claim of defamation.

Michael Buccola is the listing agent for the house and confirms that the house was put on the market last week. According to Buccola, there hasn’t been much interest at all.

Lee M. Levitt is the attorney for the Broaddusses and denied allegations of many members of the public of the couple trying to make money out of the situation. Although the financial strain of the house’s mortgage was undeniable, he claims the couple is of “the nicest, most wholesome people” and that their main concern is their children.

Both sides are demanding a jury trial but no date has been set for the hearing.