> At a Glance
> – Weeks after their divorce, Rodney Metzer disguised himself as a masked intruder and attacked Morgan Metzer in her Georgia home
> – He beat, sexually assaulted, and zip-tied her before “rescuing” her minutes later
> – Why it matters: The case spotlights the lethal risk domestic-violence victims face once they leave an abuser
Morgan Metzer hoped New Year’s Day 2021 would mark a peaceful start after divorcing her abusive husband. Instead, she awoke to a masked gunman who brutalized her-and then turned out to be Rodney himself.
The Attack
Just after 1 a.m. the intruder, wearing a Batman-style voice changer, pinned Morgan to her bed.
- He pistol-whipped her repeatedly
- Twice tried to strangle her into unconsciousness
- Zip-tied her hands, sexually assaulted her, and dragged her to the back deck
- Covered her head with a pillowcase and warned: “You messed up… we can’t say that about your ex-husband”
Rodney arrived 40 minutes later, cut the zip ties, and called 911-acting the part of the hero.
The Investigation
Detectives soon uncovered a mountain of evidence:
- Security video showed Rodney buying identical zip ties at Lowe’s on Dec. 30
- He paid with his debit card
- Crime-lab tests matched the ties to those used on Morgan
- Police also found:
- A forged hospital cancer letter
- Internet searches for “how long to choke someone unconscious” and “how to change the sound of your voice”
- The relationship book 7 Ways to Be Her Hero
| Evidence Type | Key Find |
|---|---|
| Zip ties | Exact match to purchase at Lowe’s |
| Searches | Voice change, choke time, cancer letter |
| Forged docs | Fake hospital invoice, suicide note |
The Outcome
Rodney pleaded guilty to 14 counts and on Aug. 4, 2021 received 25 years in prison plus 45 years’ probation.
Key Takeaways
- Domestic violence often escalates after a victim leaves
- Digital footprints can be crucial evidence
- Morgan now advocates for abuse survivors
“This is a classic example of how the most dangerous time for a domestic-violence victim is when she decides to leave,” the district attorney said.
