The True Story of The Watcher

Netflix recently released The Watcher, a re-telling of the unsolved case of The Westfiled Watcher. In this episode of The Tape Library, I'll be taking a look at the real life mystery of The Watcher and telling you what actually happened at 657 Boulevard.

The original reports and updates on The Westfiled Watcher case -

00:00 - Ryan Murphy & Netflix
01:50 - It Begins
04:06 - The First Letter
08:30 - The Woods
10:59 - The Second Letter
14:37 - The Third Letter
17:11 - The Langfords
19:27 - You Can Never Leave
20:51 - The Forth Letter
23:10 - New Blood

Stock footage and additional audio courtesy of Envato

Archive of the Paranormal, the strange and the unexplained. The Tape Library brings you the creepiest stories, to keep you horror junkies up all night. True tales of ghosts, cryptids, UFOs and true crime.

[TheTapeLibrary]

If you've already seen it, what did you think of the Netflix show?

[johnkronos]

Dude, your channel's visual slides and general editing style is 10/10

[jared]

Youtube would never have suggested this channel if I searched for it but now that I am laid up I am glad that I found it. This story was certainly disturbing and I could see where skeptics would accuse the family of being more Lutzes, but where I live we had an elderly couple just like the watcher. The slightest change in a 10-block area sent them bonkers, so when something did happen, we all knew who was responsible.

[jemmajemma]

I live next door to Westfeild and my good friend lives in Westfeild. Neither of us could continue watching the Netflix version. It was not true to the story. The Watcher makes me angry, not scared. Some disgruntled jerk. Apparently the Westfeild school district teaches about The Watcher and the John List case. Another Westfeild excellent story.

[Mikita_]

I haven't watched the Netflix series. But I have heard this story, or versions of, by other youtubers. I find it so fascinating by the fact no one ever knew who the watcher was. Its so creepy. I cannot imagine what the family must of felt like receiving those letters.
This was a good version of this story. As always your voice is so soothing. Thank you for another great video!! Looking forward to the next one!

[SgmaFreud]

As someone who grew up two blocks away from this house, my theory is that the family made it up . No issues prior to them moving in, no issues after. They made a lot of money off the Netflix show.

[margopaton]

What you said at the end gave me chills. It always crosses my mind that we don’t know whether anyone is watching or snooping around. I just closed my blinds at the back. It would surprise you who sees more than we know. I watched this on Netflix but I’ve forgotten some of it. I love those mysterious stories when they are true. That sounds bad though, as it’s st someone else’s expense. I don’t wish that on anyone. It’s so strange.

[blackfyre]

Why wouldnt they put up surveillance cameras around the house especially one pointed at the mailbox? This was 2014 so that kind of equipment could have been had for pretty cheap

[Samu]

I really enjoy these types of "true event" mystery videos. Good work, keep it up.

[MissLisaBowes]

My guess is someone’s parents could not afford to keep that house and they are bitter about it. That’s what I think…may be even someone who lives in a lesser house on the street. I feel that is why there was talk about greed. It could also be more than one person on that street. I think someone is bitter about not being able to have it, and they don’t want anyone else to have it. It is a weird ass story!

[melliemel]

The Watcher’s first letter through a voice modulator is truly terrifying! 😳

[musicinthewildwood]

I really appreciate the professionalism of this new channel! Evocative and super well done. I'm meditating a horror channel of my own, feeling rather lost, and seeking inspiration from the best channels I come across. I know what material I'd like to present and explore, but what it should look like is evading me at the moment. I'm doing a music channel first, that's an easier job for me. Anyway, this case is so strange! I'd heard about it before but I haven't been able to watch the series yet. Who hated this family so much, and why?? I really wonder if the entire neighborhood somehow covertly ganged up on them for reasons they will never divulge. What's crystal clear is that they were emphatically NOT wanted, and I really don't think it was down to one person (or family for that matter), and "watching" a house? To what purpose? Their only motivation seemed to be just driving them out of there. Hmmm... Derek Broaddus. Might that be a Jewish name? Yes, I'm really wondering. They obviously would have known Maria already, but, you know, she did go and marry... him. Racism rearing its extremely ugly head, you know. It could be that that little enclave of people were like that, just in the immediate area. Those neighbors certainly were - well, rather *odd*, weren't they?! And some of this does make it seem like several neighbors could well have been in on this. It's what it seems like to me, for sure. I'll come back and see if maybe others are in agreement here. Meanwhile, I'm going to investigate further and definitely watch that series! The greatest of luck to this new channel (and I do admit to being something of a lifelong Anglophile, lol!). Lots more to watch here! 😊 ♥️

Edited to add: I was reading the article and found another reference to the priest, and it said that he was Derek's, so not Jewish, then, but my next guess was a grudge against "new money", which the article did mention as a possible motive too. He had a working-class background and one of the letters did indicate them as "ruining the neighborhood". There are soooo many ways for people to be cruel and poisonous in this world. 😞

[thefoogle]

This is an amazing video and its such a high quality video for such a small creator, I definitely see this channel growing in these coming months, keep up the great work.

[williamfoote]

It was all the neighbors in conjunction. Think about it. From what I have read, seen and gathered they thought the family was going to tear the house down and build two on the same lot. So, before they could do anything the neighbors decided to scare the family away. It was all of them in cahoots with each other. Which is why the last letter discussed “an army”.

[jkwellness]

Your videos are awesome. If i wanna watch it on tv its awesome! If i just want to listen during the day doing boring life stuff, I get lost in these and before i know it the days over and i listen to your videos to sleep and I've cut down on sleeping meds anxiety meds. Thanks for bettering my life mate.

[steppy]

I suspect this was a competing bidder. Trying to frighten the new owners out of the house while knocking down the asking price.

[tracybarnes]

Excellent telling! I love seeing the old reel-to-reel. ✌️

[toblexson]

"It began to feel like the entire community was against them" - this is what I think was actually happening. Or at least, one member of the community, but several being involved would have made it easier. It's not uncommon for these rich communities to be rather 'selective' about who moves in, not wanting outside influences or change to come into the area. It's happened before, maybe not this exact way, but communities have chased people out for the dumbest reasons.

[Mike-hinu]

Just found this channel, love all the clips from David Lynch movies.

[Anita-eoxt]

Such an interesting video and very suspenseful. Definitely kept me wondering who the creepy 😊letter writer was. Can't wait to watch more of your videos. I'm definitely gonna be a following for more. Thank you for a great video