Nikki Battiste

Rod's job loss happened to come at the same time Morgan's career was starting to flourish.

Rod's job loss happened to come at the same time Morgan's career was starting to flourish.

Morgan's company, Shiplap and Sugar, became so successful she asked Nicole to join her.

Morgan's company, Shiplap and Sugar, became so successful she asked Nicole to join her.

Morgan says her professional success and Rod's lack of it made for a dangerous combination. She says he began to abuse her both physically and mentally. She recalls one Labor Day weekend. She and Rod were celebrating on a boat with friends and had just returned to their cabin.

Morgan says her professional success and Rod's lack of it made for a dangerous combination. She says he began to abuse her both physically and mentally. She recalls one Labor Day weekend. She and Rod were celebrating on a boat with friends and had just returned to their cabin.

Shockingly, Morgan says Rod tried to convince her and the people closest to her that she was to blame for her injuries. He convinced my parents that I was the one that did it.

Shockingly, Morgan says Rod tried to convince her and the people closest to her that she was to blame for her injuries. He convinced my parents that I was the one that did it.

Morgan says Rod claims she got hurt because he was forced to physically restrain her.

Morgan says Rod claims she got hurt because he was forced to physically restrain her.

Morgan says that's when a new phase in the marriage began. one in which she started to doubt her own reality because she says Rod was gaslighting her, making her think every conflict Rod instigated actually began with her.

Morgan says that's when a new phase in the marriage began. one in which she started to doubt her own reality because she says Rod was gaslighting her, making her think every conflict Rod instigated actually began with her.

Morgan says Rod even involved their children in his deception.

Morgan says Rod even involved their children in his deception.

Morgan says Rod sexually abused her as well, although she says it took a while for her to recognize what it was.

Morgan says Rod sexually abused her as well, although she says it took a while for her to recognize what it was.

Morgan filed for divorce in 2020.

Morgan filed for divorce in 2020.

The divorce was final in December and Morgan was ready to move on. But now, in the early morning hours of New Year's Day, it appeared Rod had come back into her life as her hero. Sergeant Livers and Sergeant Robert Hawk recall that when they first arrived at Morgan's house at 3 a.m., Rod's behavior had struck them as unusual.

The divorce was final in December and Morgan was ready to move on. But now, in the early morning hours of New Year's Day, it appeared Rod had come back into her life as her hero. Sergeant Livers and Sergeant Robert Hawk recall that when they first arrived at Morgan's house at 3 a.m., Rod's behavior had struck them as unusual.

Did he say anything?

Did he say anything?

What did you think?

What did you think?

Immediately, Morgan's appearance startled the investigators.

Immediately, Morgan's appearance startled the investigators.

What did it make you think?

What did it make you think?

Morgan was not only physically injured. Investigators could tell she had suffered psychologically after the attacker left her.

Morgan was not only physically injured. Investigators could tell she had suffered psychologically after the attacker left her.

Morgan was outside for 40 minutes before Rod arrived, but initially she thought it was just half that.

Morgan was outside for 40 minutes before Rod arrived, but initially she thought it was just half that.

Interesting. I would have thought the opposite. That would have felt longer for her.

Interesting. I would have thought the opposite. That would have felt longer for her.

The first thing Livers and Hawk did was separate everyone, seen here through this zoomed-in front porch security video. Morgan, Rod, and Morgan's father and brother, who came over after she called them. Then Livers recorded his conversation with Morgan inside the house.

The first thing Livers and Hawk did was separate everyone, seen here through this zoomed-in front porch security video. Morgan, Rod, and Morgan's father and brother, who came over after she called them. Then Livers recorded his conversation with Morgan inside the house.

Safely out of earshot of her ex-husband, who was standing just outside. Morgan told investigators that she suspected her attacker was the man pretending to be her hero.

Safely out of earshot of her ex-husband, who was standing just outside. Morgan told investigators that she suspected her attacker was the man pretending to be her hero.

Morgan said she had no idea who her assailant was when the attack began. But then came one critical moment.

Morgan said she had no idea who her assailant was when the attack began. But then came one critical moment.

And then there was another even bigger clue when her attacker lifted Morgan off the bed to place her outside. And that's when I really knew it was him. Morgan remembered something from years earlier.

And then there was another even bigger clue when her attacker lifted Morgan off the bed to place her outside. And that's when I really knew it was him. Morgan remembered something from years earlier.

She told them the attack had followed a chaotic week, which began with very troubling news. He thinks he's got pancreatic cancer.

She told them the attack had followed a chaotic week, which began with very troubling news. He thinks he's got pancreatic cancer.

This was one of those cases that when it happened, everybody knew that this was bad. Citizens don't want to think that monsters live amongst them.

This was one of those cases that when it happened, everybody knew that this was bad. Citizens don't want to think that monsters live amongst them.

Rod had told no one else, and Morgan explained that she'd been letting him stay at her house.

Rod had told no one else, and Morgan explained that she'd been letting him stay at her house.

Morgan told the investigators that Rod had spent the week trying to reconcile with her.

Morgan told the investigators that Rod had spent the week trying to reconcile with her.

But Morgan says she had no interest. By the morning of December 31st, she'd had enough, feeling the pressure of being his sole emotional support. Morgan insisted Rod share his health news with his parents.

But Morgan says she had no interest. By the morning of December 31st, she'd had enough, feeling the pressure of being his sole emotional support. Morgan insisted Rod share his health news with his parents.

Morgan says Rod spent the day texting her.

Morgan says Rod spent the day texting her.

Fed up with it all, Morgan lied and told Rod she'd be sleeping elsewhere that New Year's Eve night.

Fed up with it all, Morgan lied and told Rod she'd be sleeping elsewhere that New Year's Eve night.

As Morgan shared her suspicions with investigators, she didn't know if they would accept what she was telling them. I've been mentally, emotionally, physically abused. Because Rod made her feel like she was to blame for years. That's what he's built in my brain. But that all changed when Sergeant Livers told her he believed her.

As Morgan shared her suspicions with investigators, she didn't know if they would accept what she was telling them. I've been mentally, emotionally, physically abused. Because Rod made her feel like she was to blame for years. That's what he's built in my brain. But that all changed when Sergeant Livers told her he believed her.

That started the investigation into Rodney Metzer.

That started the investigation into Rodney Metzer.

Rachel Ash is the Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney for Cherokee County. She works exclusively on domestic violence cases. Parker, an emotional support dog, is often with her to comfort victims. Ash says investigators were perplexed that Rod had come to Morgan's house that night after she'd told him she'd be at her parents'.

Rachel Ash is the Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney for Cherokee County. She works exclusively on domestic violence cases. Parker, an emotional support dog, is often with her to comfort victims. Ash says investigators were perplexed that Rod had come to Morgan's house that night after she'd told him she'd be at her parents'.

Why'd you even come here? Why didn't you go to her parents' house? Why didn't you check with her parents?

Why'd you even come here? Why didn't you go to her parents' house? Why didn't you check with her parents?

Rod said that after hearing that knocking on his window and someone saying Morgan's name, he tried phoning Morgan to warn her. Sergeant Hawk wanted to check.

Rod said that after hearing that knocking on his window and someone saying Morgan's name, he tried phoning Morgan to warn her. Sergeant Hawk wanted to check.

Rod handed his cell phone to the investigators. Gave them permission to look through his phone. And what they found came as a surprise.

Rod handed his cell phone to the investigators. Gave them permission to look through his phone. And what they found came as a surprise.

A lot of photos of Morgan nude. And those photos of Morgan nude, it was pretty apparent that she didn't know he was taking those photos of her.

A lot of photos of Morgan nude. And those photos of Morgan nude, it was pretty apparent that she didn't know he was taking those photos of her.

Investigators also discovered Rod had snapped pictures of Morgan's cell phone showing text messages between her and another man. They considered these and the photos of Morgan to be an invasion of privacy.

Investigators also discovered Rod had snapped pictures of Morgan's cell phone showing text messages between her and another man. They considered these and the photos of Morgan to be an invasion of privacy.

So you arrested him for having taken those photos secretly?

So you arrested him for having taken those photos secretly?

But could investigators prove that Rod Metzer had attacked Morgan that night?

But could investigators prove that Rod Metzer had attacked Morgan that night?

I was angry and just sore. Even as they booked Rod for taking those pictures of Morgan and her texts, Hawk and Livers had already developed a theory about why Rod might have attacked her.

I was angry and just sore. Even as they booked Rod for taking those pictures of Morgan and her texts, Hawk and Livers had already developed a theory about why Rod might have attacked her.

Investigators hoped home security cameras would support their theory, but they quickly learned that all the video from the time of the attack had been erased through the app on Morgan's phone that the assailant had used to unlock her back porch door when he left. Morgan's attacker took her phone with him. It was never recovered.

Investigators hoped home security cameras would support their theory, but they quickly learned that all the video from the time of the attack had been erased through the app on Morgan's phone that the assailant had used to unlock her back porch door when he left. Morgan's attacker took her phone with him. It was never recovered.

Were you ever able to retrieve those missing videos from the security company?

Were you ever able to retrieve those missing videos from the security company?

But since Morgan had a home security system, how did the attacker get in without setting off the alarm? It did not take long to figure out. This is the window the attacker entered?

But since Morgan had a home security system, how did the attacker get in without setting off the alarm? It did not take long to figure out. This is the window the attacker entered?

Investigators believed Rod had disabled the sensor while he was staying at Morgan's house that week. I was sleeping. It was in the middle of the night. Although the home security videos had been erased, there was other video from prior to the attack. The camera on Morgan's front porch caught Rod earlier that evening.

Investigators believed Rod had disabled the sensor while he was staying at Morgan's house that week. I was sleeping. It was in the middle of the night. Although the home security videos had been erased, there was other video from prior to the attack. The camera on Morgan's front porch caught Rod earlier that evening.

Morgan says the message Rod sent with the picture of the check made it seem like he was trying to make a grand gesture.

Morgan says the message Rod sent with the picture of the check made it seem like he was trying to make a grand gesture.

Morgan's attacker took that check with him. It was never found. What did you find out about Rod's finances?

Morgan's attacker took that check with him. It was never found. What did you find out about Rod's finances?

The day after his arrest, investigators executed search warrants on Rod's car and his apartment. As soon as they walked through the door, they found a key piece of evidence.

The day after his arrest, investigators executed search warrants on Rod's car and his apartment. As soon as they walked through the door, they found a key piece of evidence.

They located this bag of zip ties in his apartment and a portion of a zip tie.

They located this bag of zip ties in his apartment and a portion of a zip tie.

Before arriving at her house, Morgan's attacker had pre-looped the zip ties he'd put on her wrists.

Before arriving at her house, Morgan's attacker had pre-looped the zip ties he'd put on her wrists.

Hawken-Livers needed to find out if that portion of a zip tie, essentially a tail found in Rod's apartment, lined up with one of the extra heads on Morgan's restraints. They headed to their crime lab. So these are the zip ties that were actually found on Morgan?

Hawken-Livers needed to find out if that portion of a zip tie, essentially a tail found in Rod's apartment, lined up with one of the extra heads on Morgan's restraints. They headed to their crime lab. So these are the zip ties that were actually found on Morgan?

This is crime scene technician Melanie Thrasher.

This is crime scene technician Melanie Thrasher.

She went back to sleep. And then the next thing that she knew, she woke up. And there was this figure standing in her door.

She went back to sleep. And then the next thing that she knew, she woke up. And there was this figure standing in her door.

The striations on the tail found in Rod's apartment lined up exactly with those on Morgan's zip tie. That's incredible. Perfect match. Perfect match. What did you think when you saw this?

The striations on the tail found in Rod's apartment lined up exactly with those on Morgan's zip tie. That's incredible. Perfect match. Perfect match. What did you think when you saw this?

But the search warrant of Rod's apartment yielded even more. There was a book.

But the search warrant of Rod's apartment yielded even more. There was a book.

Investigators examined Rod's browser history.

Investigators examined Rod's browser history.

The searches were very disturbing.

The searches were very disturbing.

How long to choke somebody unconscious.

How long to choke somebody unconscious.

The searches also included how to crack an iPhone password, how to get sympathy from your ex, and one that was especially appalling.

The searches also included how to crack an iPhone password, how to get sympathy from your ex, and one that was especially appalling.

Investigators searched Rod's outgoing emails. There they found Rod had set up a fake email account to create the pancreatic cancer diagnosis letter he'd shown Morgan. And there was more.

Investigators searched Rod's outgoing emails. There they found Rod had set up a fake email account to create the pancreatic cancer diagnosis letter he'd shown Morgan. And there was more.

He had created a bill for a doctor's office to show that he was being treated for pancreatic cancer. All of this in order to convince Morgan that he had pancreatic cancer. He wasn't sick at all. No, he did not have cancer.

He had created a bill for a doctor's office to show that he was being treated for pancreatic cancer. All of this in order to convince Morgan that he had pancreatic cancer. He wasn't sick at all. No, he did not have cancer.

Do you think that he faked the cancer diagnosis as a way to try to get you back or as a way to get access to your house because he had this plan?

Do you think that he faked the cancer diagnosis as a way to try to get you back or as a way to get access to your house because he had this plan?

It might have been both.

It might have been both.

On January 3rd, two days after the attack, Sergeant Livers and Sergeant Tom Harris interviewed Rod. They talked to him about his health.

On January 3rd, two days after the attack, Sergeant Livers and Sergeant Tom Harris interviewed Rod. They talked to him about his health.

Detective Livers confronted Rod about the cancer diagnosis he'd faked to Morgan.

Detective Livers confronted Rod about the cancer diagnosis he'd faked to Morgan.

Then Rod tried to turn the tables by attempting to take the upper hand in the interview.

Then Rod tried to turn the tables by attempting to take the upper hand in the interview.

The investigators also questioned Rod about his internet searches.

The investigators also questioned Rod about his internet searches.

Then Harris lowered the boom.

Then Harris lowered the boom.

Harris told Rod about that zip tie tail they'd recovered.

Harris told Rod about that zip tie tail they'd recovered.

But new evidence was about to say otherwise.

But new evidence was about to say otherwise.

What do you make of Rod Metzer's interview with police? For an in-depth look at the evidence, go to 48hours.com.

What do you make of Rod Metzer's interview with police? For an in-depth look at the evidence, go to 48hours.com.

He turned her over, and he put these handcuffs on her that were fashioned with zip ties.

He turned her over, and he put these handcuffs on her that were fashioned with zip ties.

I see a face right up against the window. Bleach white, no hair, black eyes, a round hole for a mouth. It's flat, Taylor. It's completely flat. I don't know what that is. I don't know what kind of a head is flat.

I see a face right up against the window. Bleach white, no hair, black eyes, a round hole for a mouth. It's flat, Taylor. It's completely flat. I don't know what that is. I don't know what kind of a head is flat.

Look. What is that coming under the door? It's blood.

Look. What is that coming under the door? It's blood.

What was your attacker saying? Was he saying anything?

What was your attacker saying? Was he saying anything?

Hours after the interview with Rod Metzer concluded, he was charged with 10 counts related to the attack on Morgan, including home invasion, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and sexual battery.

Hours after the interview with Rod Metzer concluded, he was charged with 10 counts related to the attack on Morgan, including home invasion, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and sexual battery.

The next day, Morgan, with her friend Nicole by her side, talked to investigators again.

The next day, Morgan, with her friend Nicole by her side, talked to investigators again.

Sergeant Harris told Morgan they'd watch the home security video of Rod arriving at her house after her attack. He rang the front doorbell, but when there was no response, headed around to the back.

Sergeant Harris told Morgan they'd watch the home security video of Rod arriving at her house after her attack. He rang the front doorbell, but when there was no response, headed around to the back.

What was your reaction when you learned Rod had been arrested for violently attacking Morgan?

What was your reaction when you learned Rod had been arrested for violently attacking Morgan?

Two days after Rod was charged, he talked to his mom, Kathy, on the phone.

Two days after Rod was charged, he talked to his mom, Kathy, on the phone.

But the evidence kept mounting. When investigators recovered those zip ties from Rod's apartment, the bag they came in was found as well.

But the evidence kept mounting. When investigators recovered those zip ties from Rod's apartment, the bag they came in was found as well.

The sheriff's office then went to the two Lowe's that we have here in Cherokee County, and they started searching for transactions.

The sheriff's office then went to the two Lowe's that we have here in Cherokee County, and they started searching for transactions.

She described it like Batman, kind of like Batman trying to disguise his voice.

She described it like Batman, kind of like Batman trying to disguise his voice.

It didn't take long. Rod Metzer had purchased those zip ties on December 30th, about 36 hours before the attack. Easy to find because he paid with his debit card. Investigators obtained the security video from Lowe's, zoomed in here for clarity.

It didn't take long. Rod Metzer had purchased those zip ties on December 30th, about 36 hours before the attack. Easy to find because he paid with his debit card. Investigators obtained the security video from Lowe's, zoomed in here for clarity.

This was during COVID, and this was during a period where everybody was wearing a mask except for Rodney Metzer. So the surveillance images and the videos that were recovered from Lowe's of him purchasing those zip ties, his face is right there in the camera.

This was during COVID, and this was during a period where everybody was wearing a mask except for Rodney Metzer. So the surveillance images and the videos that were recovered from Lowe's of him purchasing those zip ties, his face is right there in the camera.

I see a security camera here. Next came the security video from Rod's apartment building.

I see a security camera here. Next came the security video from Rod's apartment building.

Sergeant Liver says there was no video of Rod leaving after he said someone knocked on his window.

Sergeant Liver says there was no video of Rod leaving after he said someone knocked on his window.

Just four minutes later, Rod is caught on camera again leaving the building wearing completely different clothes and sneakers and carrying a plastic bag highlighted here. The timestamp was 1.24 a.m.

Just four minutes later, Rod is caught on camera again leaving the building wearing completely different clothes and sneakers and carrying a plastic bag highlighted here. The timestamp was 1.24 a.m.

We just don't know where that went. Investigators can't know for sure what was in that bag, but believe it had evidence Rod discarded on his drive back to Morgan's house. The attacker's mask was never found, but Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ash says they had more than enough to prove Rod was guilty.

We just don't know where that went. Investigators can't know for sure what was in that bag, but believe it had evidence Rod discarded on his drive back to Morgan's house. The attacker's mask was never found, but Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ash says they had more than enough to prove Rod was guilty.

This is a prosecutor's dream to put up because the evidence in this case was overwhelming. Overwhelming.

This is a prosecutor's dream to put up because the evidence in this case was overwhelming. Overwhelming.

But Ash says she wanted to offer Morgan an opportunity for a quicker closure than a trial would bring in the form of a plea deal for Rod.

But Ash says she wanted to offer Morgan an opportunity for a quicker closure than a trial would bring in the form of a plea deal for Rod.

We went through the pros and cons of letting him plead guilty, letting him accept responsibility. We agreed we should try. He took it quickly.

We went through the pros and cons of letting him plead guilty, letting him accept responsibility. We agreed we should try. He took it quickly.

On August 4th, 2021, Rod pleaded guilty to a total of 14 counts related to Morgan's attack and the photos found on his phone.

On August 4th, 2021, Rod pleaded guilty to a total of 14 counts related to Morgan's attack and the photos found on his phone.

Did you think you were going to die?

Did you think you were going to die?

I've lost my husband. He's dead to me. At Rod's sentencing, Morgan delivered a victim impact statement several pages long.

I've lost my husband. He's dead to me. At Rod's sentencing, Morgan delivered a victim impact statement several pages long.

There were no cameras in the courtroom. We asked Morgan to read her statement. Here's a portion of it.

There were no cameras in the courtroom. We asked Morgan to read her statement. Here's a portion of it.

Who would want to do this to Morgan Metzer? Nobody should want to do this to Morgan Metzer.

Who would want to do this to Morgan Metzer? Nobody should want to do this to Morgan Metzer.

She was laying to rest this relationship. She was telling him this, I'm never going to be yours, right? I'm never going to be yours.

She was laying to rest this relationship. She was telling him this, I'm never going to be yours, right? I'm never going to be yours.

Rod's actions that New Year's Day continue to affect everyone. Have you been able to visit Rod in person at all?

Rod's actions that New Year's Day continue to affect everyone. Have you been able to visit Rod in person at all?

Rod suffers from type 1 diabetes, and Kathy says his health is rapidly declining in prison. You're worried he could die?

Rod suffers from type 1 diabetes, and Kathy says his health is rapidly declining in prison. You're worried he could die?

He was not the kind of person that most people suspect of something like this.

He was not the kind of person that most people suspect of something like this.

Morgan says once the ordeal was behind her, she had to take steps so she could recover, seeking therapy to help her cope.

Morgan says once the ordeal was behind her, she had to take steps so she could recover, seeking therapy to help her cope.

She says she is focused on raising her children and helping others who find themselves in similar circumstances.

She says she is focused on raising her children and helping others who find themselves in similar circumstances.

Rod Metzer's sentence prevents him from contacting Morgan and their children in any way.

Rod Metzer's sentence prevents him from contacting Morgan and their children in any way.

Nikki Batiste reports, the Batman intruder.

Nikki Batiste reports, the Batman intruder.

When Morgan Metzer glimpsed a masked figure standing in her bedroom doorway shortly after midnight on New Year's Day 2021, she thought she might just be seeing things.

When Morgan Metzer glimpsed a masked figure standing in her bedroom doorway shortly after midnight on New Year's Day 2021, she thought she might just be seeing things.

Just hours earlier, she'd been ready to ring in the new year in Canton, Georgia, with her best friend, Nicole Stabisevsky.

Just hours earlier, she'd been ready to ring in the new year in Canton, Georgia, with her best friend, Nicole Stabisevsky.

Recently divorced, her eight-year-old twin son and daughter were spending a few days with her sister in Florida. I mean, we're moms. We just wanted to hang out for a second.

Recently divorced, her eight-year-old twin son and daughter were spending a few days with her sister in Florida. I mean, we're moms. We just wanted to hang out for a second.

Little could either friend have guessed that a short time later, Morgan would be in fear for her life. Her attacker had brought zip ties with him, already pre-looped and intertwined. He put Morgan's hands behind her back, slipped them on, and tightened them. It's an outer body experience. I can't imagine what you're thinking, what you're feeling.

Little could either friend have guessed that a short time later, Morgan would be in fear for her life. Her attacker had brought zip ties with him, already pre-looped and intertwined. He put Morgan's hands behind her back, slipped them on, and tightened them. It's an outer body experience. I can't imagine what you're thinking, what you're feeling.

Her assailant strangled her nearly unconscious twice.

Her assailant strangled her nearly unconscious twice.

Morgan's attacker sexually assaulted her. Who did you think was attacking you? I don't know. I just felt like it was some random person. In addition to the mask, the intruder had taken great pains to disguise himself. Black hoodie jacket, black pants, black gloves.

Morgan's attacker sexually assaulted her. Who did you think was attacking you? I don't know. I just felt like it was some random person. In addition to the mask, the intruder had taken great pains to disguise himself. Black hoodie jacket, black pants, black gloves.

He said very little, but when he did, Morgan says her assailants seemed to be disguising his voice, making it sound low and gravelly, like the Batman movies. He also seemed to know about Morgan's personal life, specifically her recent divorce. He said something about your husband.

He said very little, but when he did, Morgan says her assailants seemed to be disguising his voice, making it sound low and gravelly, like the Batman movies. He also seemed to know about Morgan's personal life, specifically her recent divorce. He said something about your husband.

Morgan says her mind raced. trying to piece together why this was happening to her.

Morgan says her mind raced. trying to piece together why this was happening to her.

Her attacker demanded to know where Morgan kept her valuables.

Her attacker demanded to know where Morgan kept her valuables.

Morgan's house had an alarm system, which she'd set before going to bed. An app on her phone controlled it, along with several security cameras around her home. And a lock on the door of her second floor bedroom, which led out to a back porch.

Morgan's house had an alarm system, which she'd set before going to bed. An app on her phone controlled it, along with several security cameras around her home. And a lock on the door of her second floor bedroom, which led out to a back porch.

The attacker had unlocked the door remotely through that app on Morgan's phone. Morgan says he put a pillowcase over her head.

The attacker had unlocked the door remotely through that app on Morgan's phone. Morgan says he put a pillowcase over her head.

Did he just leave you there?

Did he just leave you there?

Morgan's property was secluded, with little chance of a neighbor seeing or hearing her on the back porch. And with that pillowcase over her head and the attacker's final words of warning ringing in her ears, Morgan had no way of knowing if he, or someone else, was watching her.

Morgan's property was secluded, with little chance of a neighbor seeing or hearing her on the back porch. And with that pillowcase over her head and the attacker's final words of warning ringing in her ears, Morgan had no way of knowing if he, or someone else, was watching her.

Then, a sound in the distance struck terror in Morgan all over again. I hear somebody walking up. Unable to see, she feared her attacker had returned to finish the job.

Then, a sound in the distance struck terror in Morgan all over again. I hear somebody walking up. Unable to see, she feared her attacker had returned to finish the job.

That's when Morgan heard a very familiar voice. Oh, honey, what happened? Morgan's grueling ordeal was finally over. And who would turn out to be her rescuer? Her ex-husband, Rod Metzer.

That's when Morgan heard a very familiar voice. Oh, honey, what happened? Morgan's grueling ordeal was finally over. And who would turn out to be her rescuer? Her ex-husband, Rod Metzer.

When Morgan's ex-husband, Rod Metzer, turned up at her house, he immediately called 911. Somebody broke in over here.

When Morgan's ex-husband, Rod Metzer, turned up at her house, he immediately called 911. Somebody broke in over here.

As they waited for help to arrive, Rod tried to console Morgan.

As they waited for help to arrive, Rod tried to console Morgan.

Sergeant Dakota Livers was a detective with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department in 2021. He had a lot of questions. Exactly why had Rod gone to Morgan's home in the middle of the night? This was Rod's apartment right here?

Sergeant Dakota Livers was a detective with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department in 2021. He had a lot of questions. Exactly why had Rod gone to Morgan's home in the middle of the night? This was Rod's apartment right here?

Rod said he'd received an eerie message about Morgan that night.

Rod said he'd received an eerie message about Morgan that night.

Concerned, Rod said he tried calling Morgan, but she didn't answer. What did he say he was thinking? Someone knocks on his window in the early morning hours of New Year's Day?

Concerned, Rod said he tried calling Morgan, but she didn't answer. What did he say he was thinking? Someone knocks on his window in the early morning hours of New Year's Day?

Rod told investigators he'd gotten in his car and made the 12-minute drive over to his ex-wife's house. Despite being divorced, Rod said he was still looking out for Morgan. Their relationship stretched back nearly 20 years. How old were you when you met Rod? 14 years old.

Rod told investigators he'd gotten in his car and made the 12-minute drive over to his ex-wife's house. Despite being divorced, Rod said he was still looking out for Morgan. Their relationship stretched back nearly 20 years. How old were you when you met Rod? 14 years old.

No one was surprised when the couple married in 2009.

No one was surprised when the couple married in 2009.

Unfortunately, their newly wedded bliss would be short-lived. Eight months after the wedding... I wish you both endless years of love, health, and happiness. Rod's younger brother Kevin lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 19.

Unfortunately, their newly wedded bliss would be short-lived. Eight months after the wedding... I wish you both endless years of love, health, and happiness. Rod's younger brother Kevin lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 19.

But the next year would bring some good news to celebrate.

But the next year would bring some good news to celebrate.

But the family would suffer a second and devastating loss. Baby Kevin was born early with a congenital heart defect. He lived just 18 days. He actually died on his due date. The loss of a child is...

But the family would suffer a second and devastating loss. Baby Kevin was born early with a congenital heart defect. He lived just 18 days. He actually died on his due date. The loss of a child is...

unthinkable and i would imagine tough for you and rod very tough don't really remember a lot of it it's a big blur with all the emotions so it seemed like a miracle when just three months later morgan discovered she was pregnant again kathy remembers the moment rod showed her the ultrasound picture he says what do you see i said a baby he said no look what do you see

unthinkable and i would imagine tough for you and rod very tough don't really remember a lot of it it's a big blur with all the emotions so it seemed like a miracle when just three months later morgan discovered she was pregnant again kathy remembers the moment rod showed her the ultrasound picture he says what do you see i said a baby he said no look what do you see

Morgan gave birth to a healthy boy and girl in 2012. It should have been a happy time, but not long after, the marriage began to change.

Morgan gave birth to a healthy boy and girl in 2012. It should have been a happy time, but not long after, the marriage began to change.

What do you think of Matthew Plody's interview with investigators?

What do you think of Matthew Plody's interview with investigators?

Matthew Plody is appealing his convictions.

Matthew Plody is appealing his convictions.

Nikki Batiste reports The Firefighter's Secret.

Nikki Batiste reports The Firefighter's Secret.

Rod's job loss happened to come at the same time Morgan's career was starting to flourish.

Morgan's company, Shiplap and Sugar, became so successful she asked Nicole to join her.

Morgan says her professional success and Rod's lack of it made for a dangerous combination. She says he began to abuse her both physically and mentally. She recalls one Labor Day weekend. She and Rod were celebrating on a boat with friends and had just returned to their cabin.

Shockingly, Morgan says Rod tried to convince her and the people closest to her that she was to blame for her injuries. He convinced my parents that I was the one that did it.

Morgan says Rod claims she got hurt because he was forced to physically restrain her.

Morgan says that's when a new phase in the marriage began. one in which she started to doubt her own reality because she says Rod was gaslighting her, making her think every conflict Rod instigated actually began with her.

Morgan says Rod even involved their children in his deception.

Morgan says Rod sexually abused her as well, although she says it took a while for her to recognize what it was.

Morgan filed for divorce in 2020.

The divorce was final in December and Morgan was ready to move on. But now, in the early morning hours of New Year's Day, it appeared Rod had come back into her life as her hero. Sergeant Livers and Sergeant Robert Hawk recall that when they first arrived at Morgan's house at 3 a.m., Rod's behavior had struck them as unusual.

Did he say anything?

What did you think?

Immediately, Morgan's appearance startled the investigators.

What did it make you think?

Morgan was not only physically injured. Investigators could tell she had suffered psychologically after the attacker left her.

Morgan was outside for 40 minutes before Rod arrived, but initially she thought it was just half that.

Interesting. I would have thought the opposite. That would have felt longer for her.

The first thing Livers and Hawk did was separate everyone, seen here through this zoomed-in front porch security video. Morgan, Rod, and Morgan's father and brother, who came over after she called them. Then Livers recorded his conversation with Morgan inside the house.

Safely out of earshot of her ex-husband, who was standing just outside. Morgan told investigators that she suspected her attacker was the man pretending to be her hero.

Morgan said she had no idea who her assailant was when the attack began. But then came one critical moment.

And then there was another even bigger clue when her attacker lifted Morgan off the bed to place her outside. And that's when I really knew it was him. Morgan remembered something from years earlier.

She told them the attack had followed a chaotic week, which began with very troubling news. He thinks he's got pancreatic cancer.

This was one of those cases that when it happened, everybody knew that this was bad. Citizens don't want to think that monsters live amongst them.

Rod had told no one else, and Morgan explained that she'd been letting him stay at her house.

Morgan told the investigators that Rod had spent the week trying to reconcile with her.

But Morgan says she had no interest. By the morning of December 31st, she'd had enough, feeling the pressure of being his sole emotional support. Morgan insisted Rod share his health news with his parents.

Morgan says Rod spent the day texting her.

Fed up with it all, Morgan lied and told Rod she'd be sleeping elsewhere that New Year's Eve night.

As Morgan shared her suspicions with investigators, she didn't know if they would accept what she was telling them. I've been mentally, emotionally, physically abused. Because Rod made her feel like she was to blame for years. That's what he's built in my brain. But that all changed when Sergeant Livers told her he believed her.

That started the investigation into Rodney Metzer.

Rachel Ash is the Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney for Cherokee County. She works exclusively on domestic violence cases. Parker, an emotional support dog, is often with her to comfort victims. Ash says investigators were perplexed that Rod had come to Morgan's house that night after she'd told him she'd be at her parents'.

Why'd you even come here? Why didn't you go to her parents' house? Why didn't you check with her parents?

Rod said that after hearing that knocking on his window and someone saying Morgan's name, he tried phoning Morgan to warn her. Sergeant Hawk wanted to check.

Rod handed his cell phone to the investigators. Gave them permission to look through his phone. And what they found came as a surprise.

A lot of photos of Morgan nude. And those photos of Morgan nude, it was pretty apparent that she didn't know he was taking those photos of her.

Investigators also discovered Rod had snapped pictures of Morgan's cell phone showing text messages between her and another man. They considered these and the photos of Morgan to be an invasion of privacy.

So you arrested him for having taken those photos secretly?

But could investigators prove that Rod Metzer had attacked Morgan that night?

I was angry and just sore. Even as they booked Rod for taking those pictures of Morgan and her texts, Hawk and Livers had already developed a theory about why Rod might have attacked her.

Investigators hoped home security cameras would support their theory, but they quickly learned that all the video from the time of the attack had been erased through the app on Morgan's phone that the assailant had used to unlock her back porch door when he left. Morgan's attacker took her phone with him. It was never recovered.

Were you ever able to retrieve those missing videos from the security company?

But since Morgan had a home security system, how did the attacker get in without setting off the alarm? It did not take long to figure out. This is the window the attacker entered?

Investigators believed Rod had disabled the sensor while he was staying at Morgan's house that week. I was sleeping. It was in the middle of the night. Although the home security videos had been erased, there was other video from prior to the attack. The camera on Morgan's front porch caught Rod earlier that evening.

Morgan says the message Rod sent with the picture of the check made it seem like he was trying to make a grand gesture.

Morgan's attacker took that check with him. It was never found. What did you find out about Rod's finances?

The day after his arrest, investigators executed search warrants on Rod's car and his apartment. As soon as they walked through the door, they found a key piece of evidence.

They located this bag of zip ties in his apartment and a portion of a zip tie.

Before arriving at her house, Morgan's attacker had pre-looped the zip ties he'd put on her wrists.

Hawken-Livers needed to find out if that portion of a zip tie, essentially a tail found in Rod's apartment, lined up with one of the extra heads on Morgan's restraints. They headed to their crime lab. So these are the zip ties that were actually found on Morgan?

This is crime scene technician Melanie Thrasher.

She went back to sleep. And then the next thing that she knew, she woke up. And there was this figure standing in her door.

The striations on the tail found in Rod's apartment lined up exactly with those on Morgan's zip tie. That's incredible. Perfect match. Perfect match. What did you think when you saw this?

But the search warrant of Rod's apartment yielded even more. There was a book.

Investigators examined Rod's browser history.

The searches were very disturbing.

How long to choke somebody unconscious.

The searches also included how to crack an iPhone password, how to get sympathy from your ex, and one that was especially appalling.

Investigators searched Rod's outgoing emails. There they found Rod had set up a fake email account to create the pancreatic cancer diagnosis letter he'd shown Morgan. And there was more.

He had created a bill for a doctor's office to show that he was being treated for pancreatic cancer. All of this in order to convince Morgan that he had pancreatic cancer. He wasn't sick at all. No, he did not have cancer.

Do you think that he faked the cancer diagnosis as a way to try to get you back or as a way to get access to your house because he had this plan?

It might have been both.

On January 3rd, two days after the attack, Sergeant Livers and Sergeant Tom Harris interviewed Rod. They talked to him about his health.

Detective Livers confronted Rod about the cancer diagnosis he'd faked to Morgan.

Then Rod tried to turn the tables by attempting to take the upper hand in the interview.

The investigators also questioned Rod about his internet searches.

Then Harris lowered the boom.

Harris told Rod about that zip tie tail they'd recovered.

But new evidence was about to say otherwise.

What do you make of Rod Metzer's interview with police? For an in-depth look at the evidence, go to 48hours.com.

He turned her over, and he put these handcuffs on her that were fashioned with zip ties.

I see a face right up against the window. Bleach white, no hair, black eyes, a round hole for a mouth. It's flat, Taylor. It's completely flat. I don't know what that is. I don't know what kind of a head is flat.

Look. What is that coming under the door? It's blood.

What was your attacker saying? Was he saying anything?

Hours after the interview with Rod Metzer concluded, he was charged with 10 counts related to the attack on Morgan, including home invasion, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and sexual battery.

The next day, Morgan, with her friend Nicole by her side, talked to investigators again.

Sergeant Harris told Morgan they'd watch the home security video of Rod arriving at her house after her attack. He rang the front doorbell, but when there was no response, headed around to the back.

What was your reaction when you learned Rod had been arrested for violently attacking Morgan?

Two days after Rod was charged, he talked to his mom, Kathy, on the phone.

But the evidence kept mounting. When investigators recovered those zip ties from Rod's apartment, the bag they came in was found as well.

The sheriff's office then went to the two Lowe's that we have here in Cherokee County, and they started searching for transactions.

She described it like Batman, kind of like Batman trying to disguise his voice.

It didn't take long. Rod Metzer had purchased those zip ties on December 30th, about 36 hours before the attack. Easy to find because he paid with his debit card. Investigators obtained the security video from Lowe's, zoomed in here for clarity.

This was during COVID, and this was during a period where everybody was wearing a mask except for Rodney Metzer. So the surveillance images and the videos that were recovered from Lowe's of him purchasing those zip ties, his face is right there in the camera.

I see a security camera here. Next came the security video from Rod's apartment building.

Sergeant Liver says there was no video of Rod leaving after he said someone knocked on his window.

Just four minutes later, Rod is caught on camera again leaving the building wearing completely different clothes and sneakers and carrying a plastic bag highlighted here. The timestamp was 1.24 a.m.

We just don't know where that went. Investigators can't know for sure what was in that bag, but believe it had evidence Rod discarded on his drive back to Morgan's house. The attacker's mask was never found, but Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ash says they had more than enough to prove Rod was guilty.

This is a prosecutor's dream to put up because the evidence in this case was overwhelming. Overwhelming.

But Ash says she wanted to offer Morgan an opportunity for a quicker closure than a trial would bring in the form of a plea deal for Rod.

We went through the pros and cons of letting him plead guilty, letting him accept responsibility. We agreed we should try. He took it quickly.

On August 4th, 2021, Rod pleaded guilty to a total of 14 counts related to Morgan's attack and the photos found on his phone.

Did you think you were going to die?

I've lost my husband. He's dead to me. At Rod's sentencing, Morgan delivered a victim impact statement several pages long.

There were no cameras in the courtroom. We asked Morgan to read her statement. Here's a portion of it.

Who would want to do this to Morgan Metzer? Nobody should want to do this to Morgan Metzer.

She was laying to rest this relationship. She was telling him this, I'm never going to be yours, right? I'm never going to be yours.

Rod's actions that New Year's Day continue to affect everyone. Have you been able to visit Rod in person at all?

Rod suffers from type 1 diabetes, and Kathy says his health is rapidly declining in prison. You're worried he could die?

He was not the kind of person that most people suspect of something like this.

Morgan says once the ordeal was behind her, she had to take steps so she could recover, seeking therapy to help her cope.

She says she is focused on raising her children and helping others who find themselves in similar circumstances.

Rod Metzer's sentence prevents him from contacting Morgan and their children in any way.

Nikki Batiste reports, the Batman intruder.

When Morgan Metzer glimpsed a masked figure standing in her bedroom doorway shortly after midnight on New Year's Day 2021, she thought she might just be seeing things.

Just hours earlier, she'd been ready to ring in the new year in Canton, Georgia, with her best friend, Nicole Stabisevsky.

Recently divorced, her eight-year-old twin son and daughter were spending a few days with her sister in Florida. I mean, we're moms. We just wanted to hang out for a second.

Little could either friend have guessed that a short time later, Morgan would be in fear for her life. Her attacker had brought zip ties with him, already pre-looped and intertwined. He put Morgan's hands behind her back, slipped them on, and tightened them. It's an outer body experience. I can't imagine what you're thinking, what you're feeling.

Her assailant strangled her nearly unconscious twice.

Morgan's attacker sexually assaulted her. Who did you think was attacking you? I don't know. I just felt like it was some random person. In addition to the mask, the intruder had taken great pains to disguise himself. Black hoodie jacket, black pants, black gloves.

He said very little, but when he did, Morgan says her assailants seemed to be disguising his voice, making it sound low and gravelly, like the Batman movies. He also seemed to know about Morgan's personal life, specifically her recent divorce. He said something about your husband.

Morgan says her mind raced. trying to piece together why this was happening to her.

Her attacker demanded to know where Morgan kept her valuables.

Morgan's house had an alarm system, which she'd set before going to bed. An app on her phone controlled it, along with several security cameras around her home. And a lock on the door of her second floor bedroom, which led out to a back porch.

The attacker had unlocked the door remotely through that app on Morgan's phone. Morgan says he put a pillowcase over her head.

Did he just leave you there?

Morgan's property was secluded, with little chance of a neighbor seeing or hearing her on the back porch. And with that pillowcase over her head and the attacker's final words of warning ringing in her ears, Morgan had no way of knowing if he, or someone else, was watching her.

Then, a sound in the distance struck terror in Morgan all over again. I hear somebody walking up. Unable to see, she feared her attacker had returned to finish the job.

That's when Morgan heard a very familiar voice. Oh, honey, what happened? Morgan's grueling ordeal was finally over. And who would turn out to be her rescuer? Her ex-husband, Rod Metzer.

When Morgan's ex-husband, Rod Metzer, turned up at her house, he immediately called 911. Somebody broke in over here.

As they waited for help to arrive, Rod tried to console Morgan.

Sergeant Dakota Livers was a detective with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department in 2021. He had a lot of questions. Exactly why had Rod gone to Morgan's home in the middle of the night? This was Rod's apartment right here?

Rod said he'd received an eerie message about Morgan that night.

Concerned, Rod said he tried calling Morgan, but she didn't answer. What did he say he was thinking? Someone knocks on his window in the early morning hours of New Year's Day?

Rod told investigators he'd gotten in his car and made the 12-minute drive over to his ex-wife's house. Despite being divorced, Rod said he was still looking out for Morgan. Their relationship stretched back nearly 20 years. How old were you when you met Rod? 14 years old.

No one was surprised when the couple married in 2009.

Unfortunately, their newly wedded bliss would be short-lived. Eight months after the wedding... I wish you both endless years of love, health, and happiness. Rod's younger brother Kevin lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 19.

But the next year would bring some good news to celebrate.

But the family would suffer a second and devastating loss. Baby Kevin was born early with a congenital heart defect. He lived just 18 days. He actually died on his due date. The loss of a child is...

unthinkable and i would imagine tough for you and rod very tough don't really remember a lot of it it's a big blur with all the emotions so it seemed like a miracle when just three months later morgan discovered she was pregnant again kathy remembers the moment rod showed her the ultrasound picture he says what do you see i said a baby he said no look what do you see

Morgan gave birth to a healthy boy and girl in 2012. It should have been a happy time, but not long after, the marriage began to change.

What do you think of Matthew Plody's interview with investigators?

Matthew Plody is appealing his convictions.

Nikki Batiste reports The Firefighter's Secret.