The "Batman" Intruder

Summary

Summary of “The 'Batman' Intruder” Episode from 48 Hours

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled “The 'Batman' Intruder,” CBS News' 48 Hours delves deep into a harrowing true crime story that intertwines love, betrayal, and relentless pursuit of justice. This episode meticulously unpacks the traumatic experience of Morgan Metzer, who became the victim of a violent home invasion orchestrated by someone she once trusted implicitly. Through compelling narratives, key evidence, and insightful interviews, the episode paints a vivid picture of the complexities surrounding domestic abuse and the path to exoneration.

Background: A Love Turned Nightmare

Morgan Metzer and Rod Metzer's relationship began in their teenage years, blossoming into a seemingly idyllic marriage. “I was 14 years old,” Morgan recalls (13:25), with Rod being 17 at the time. Their love story was celebrated by family and friends, culminating in a beautiful wedding in 2009. Initially, their marriage was filled with joy and shared dreams. However, tragedy struck when Rod's younger brother, Kevin, succumbed to leukemia at 19, profoundly affecting Rod and deepening Morgan’s reliance on him for emotional support.

The couple faced further sorrow with the loss of their first child, Kevin, who was born prematurely with a congenital heart defect and lived only 18 days (16:12). A subsequent unexpected pregnancy brought joy again, but only fleetingly, as their twins were born healthy in 2012 (16:30). The seeds of discord were sown when Rod lost his job as a day trader around the same time Morgan's interior design business, Shiplap and Sugar, began to thrive (17:35). This economic disparity became a catalyst for Rod’s increasing frustration and eventual abusive behavior.

Descent into Abuse

Approximately a year after the birth of their twins, Rod's inability to secure stable employment and Morgan’s burgeoning career created a volatile environment. Rod began to exhibit controlling and abusive tendencies, both physically and mentally. Morgan recounts a pivotal moment during a Labor Day weekend when Rod first physically assaulted her on a boat after an argument (18:20). This marked the beginning of a disturbing pattern of gaslighting and manipulation, making Morgan doubt her own reality (19:06). Rod's abuse escalated to include sexual assault, further complicating Morgan's ability to seek help or recognize the extent of her predicament.

The Night of the Attack

The episode reaches its climax on New Year’s Eve of 2020, a night that should have been filled with celebration and hope for Morgan and her best friend, Nicole Stabasevsky. Instead, it turned into a nightmare. Morgan left Nicole’s house early, feeling exhausted and disconnected (03:03). Alone at home, she was violently attacked by a masked intruder who mimicked the voice of Batman, saying, “you’re going to regret this. You’ve done really wrong. Now” (04:27). The attacker overpowered her, binding her with zip ties, and forced her onto the back porch with a pillowcase over her head, issuing a chilling threat: “do not get up until you hear two car honks or I'll kill you” (09:32). For 40 agonizing minutes, Morgan lay helpless, fearing for her life and the safety of her children.

Rod Metzer: From Hero to Suspect

In a shocking twist, Rod Metzer emerged as the unexpected rescuer who saved Morgan from her assailant. Upon his arrival, Rod immediately called 911 and rushed to Morgan’s side, effectively ending her ordeal (11:31). However, initial investigations took an intriguing turn when authorities discovered unsettling evidence pointing towards Rod’s involvement. A key piece of evidence was a unique zip tie found in Rod’s apartment that matched the zip ties used during the attack (36:28). Further scrutiny revealed Rod’s fraudulent actions, including faking a pancreatic cancer diagnosis to manipulate Morgan into trusting him (24:12).

Investigation and Revelation

Detectives Sergeant Dakota Livers and Sergeant Robert Hawk meticulously pieced together the puzzle surrounding Rod’s behavior on New Year’s Eve. Surveillance footage from Lowe’s showed Rod purchasing zip ties just days before the attack (31:47), and additional evidence from his apartment, including a book titled 7 Ways to Be Her Hero. Be Her Hero, provided a motive rooted in his desperate attempts to win Morgan back (36:28). Rod’s browser history revealed disturbing searches on topics like “how to change your voice” and “how to choke someone unconscious,” further implicating him in the orchestrated attack (35:08).

Arrest and Conviction

Faced with mounting evidence, Rod Metzer was arrested and charged with ten counts related to the attack, including home invasion, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and sexual battery (39:37). The culmination of the investigation led to a plea deal, where Rod pleaded guilty to 14 counts, receiving a 25-year sentence with an additional 45 years of probation (43:51). This legal resolution provided Morgan with a semblance of closure, though the emotional scars remained significant.

Morgan's Journey to Recovery

Post-trial, Morgan focused on healing and empowering others. She sought therapy to overcome the trauma and dedicated herself to raising awareness about narcissism and gaslighting (45:50). Her courage in delivering a powerful victim impact statement underscored her resilience:

“Being married to you was like living with a monster that constantly tried to break me down and fence me in. It was a blessing in disguise. I can now walk with the confidence, knowing the pain you have given me has turned into power.” (44:12)

Morgan’s transformation from a victim to a survivor serves as an inspiring testament to overcoming adversity and advocating for those trapped in abusive relationships.

Conclusion

“The 'Batman' Intruder” is a poignant exploration of domestic abuse and the intricate dynamics of a relationship that spiraled into violence and deception. Through Morgan Metzer's story, the episode sheds light on the psychological manipulation inherent in abusive relationships and the relentless pursuit of truth by law enforcement. This narrative not only captivates with its true crime elements but also serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable trauma.

Key Takeaways:

• Domestic Abuse: The episode highlights the insidious nature of gaslighting and manipulation in abusive relationships.
• Investigative Success: Meticulous detective work and critical evidence lead to the apprehension and conviction of Rod Metzer.
• Survivor Empowerment: Morgan Metzer’s journey emphasizes the importance of seeking help and advocating against abuse.

Notable Quotes:

• Morgan on her initial perception during the attack: “I thought I might just be seeing things.” (05:49)
• Her realization about the attacker: “I know it's 100% him. I wasn't gonna let him know that I knew it was him.” (23:46)
• Reflecting on her recovery: “I'm trying to raise awareness for narcissism and gaslighting. I want to help women realize they're in a situation before it gets too bad.” (46:06)

Further Engagement: Listeners are encouraged to explore more true crime stories and deepen their understanding of complex criminal cases through 48 Hours, available every Monday with additional insights in the “Post Mortem” series on Tuesdays.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Wondery plus subscribers can listen to this podcast ad free right now. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery app today. Some stories have a way of sticking with you. For me, it's the 48 hour series Murder in the Orange Grove, but Audible has a best of 2024 list that's packed with unforgettable listens you won't stop thinking about. Check out Framed. It's one of Audible's top picks and an astonishing true story of wrongful convictions that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Whether you're into thrillers, memoirs, or even romance, there's something for everyone. Head over to audible.com 48hours and discover all the years best waiting for you. That's audible.com 48 hours audible there's more to imagine when you listen did you know that parents rank financial literacy as the number one most difficult life skill to teach? Meet Greenlight, the debit card and money app for families. With Greenlight, you can send money to kids instantly, set up chores, automate allowance, and keep an eye on your kids spending. With real time notifications, kids learn to earn, save and spend wisely. And parents can rest easy knowing their kids are learning about money. With guardrails in place, sign up for greenlight [e-mail] wondery that's greenlight.com wondery you've heard the jingle bells, but have you heard the Babbel bells?

[Morgan Metzer]

They're the bells you'll hear when you.

[Narrator]

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[Morgan Metzer]

Canton is just beautiful. You've got a lot of trees, tons of places to go hiking, so it's really cute.

[Narrator]

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.

[Morgan Metzer]

On New year's Eve of 2020, I went to Nicole's house. I'm Morgan Metzer's best friend.

[Narrator]

We were gonna have a glass of wine, stay inside and just chill.

[Morgan Metzer]

We're going to stay there and watch the ball drop together. But I left early. I was like, we never get to, you know, hang out. And she's like, no, I'm just really tired. I got home. I just didn't have any interest. Waiting up for the fireworks closed the house down, and I went to bed.

[Narrator]

She was alone. She recalled waking up about 11:59.

[Morgan Metzer]

I woke up because of fireworks, because I can hear him in the distance. I got down and kissed my dog. And I was like, happy New Year's. And I go lay back in bed.

[Narrator]

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.

[Morgan Metzer]

I opened my eyes. They flung open. And that's when I saw the shadow of a man's body standing there, you know, all in black and just lit up by the light in the background. He had a mask on. I screamed so loud. He pounced on me. He then hit me with a gun. Then he punched me.

[Narrator]

He turned her over, and he put these handcuffs on her that were fashioned with zip ties. What was your attacker saying? Was he saying anything? Yes.

[Morgan Metzer]

He said, you're going to regret this. You've done really wrong. Now. It was the sound of Batman. His voice.

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

He would keep continuing to hit me, pistol whip me. He'd strangle me a few times to the point of where I knew I was about to pass out.

[Narrator]

Did you think you were gonna die?

[Morgan Metzer]

Yes, I did.

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

Eventually, I would learn the intruder was somebody that I knew.

[Narrator]

He was not the kind of person that most people suspect of something like this. Nikki Batiste reports. The Batman intruder.

[Morgan Metzer]

He's standing there like a soldier, like, with his face, fist, clench, like he was ready to go.

[Narrator]

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.

[Morgan Metzer]

But then he ran at me and jumped on top of me. And that's when he started pistol whipping.

[Narrator]

Just hours earlier, she'd been ready to ring in the new year in Canton, Georgia, with her best friend, Nicole Stabasevsky. That's what we were looking forward to, and I knew she was exhausted. It had been a long year for Morgan. Recently divorced, her 8 year old twin son and daughter were spending a few days with her sister in Florida. I mean, we're moms.

[Morgan Metzer]

We just wanted to hang out for a second.

[Narrator]

We had planned for it, but after arriving at Nicole's, Morgan, feeling tired, decided to make it an early evening. When she left, I did.

[Morgan Metzer]

I gave her some crap. I was like, what are you doing? I was like, we never get to, you know, hang out. And I was like, you lose her, fine, whatever.

[Narrator]

Text me when you get home.

[Morgan Metzer]

Blah, blah, blah.

[Narrator]

See you tomorrow. 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.

[Morgan Metzer]

It's an outer body experience.

[Narrator]

I can't imagine what you're thinking, what you're feeling.

[Morgan Metzer]

Vulnerable, exposed. What is going to happen to my kids? I haven't done a will. I haven't done. I don't. I haven't talked to my family about who gets them. I was like, they're not going to have a moment.

[Narrator]

Her assailant strangled her, nearly unconscious, twice.

[Morgan Metzer]

It's the worst feeling in the world to think you're dying and you feel like you're going to be tortured beforehand.

[Narrator]

Morgan's attacker sexually assaulted her. Who did you think was attacking you?

[Morgan Metzer]

I don't know. I just felt like it was some random person.

[Narrator]

In addition to the mask, the intruder had taken great pains to disguise himself.

[Morgan Metzer]

Black hoodie jacket, black pants, black gloves.

[Narrator]

He said very little, but when he did, Morgan says her assailant 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 Metzer]

Yes, you're gonna miss your husband. And I said, no, don't hurt my husband.

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

I swear, I, like, went through my whole life in my head. That's how my brain was just everywhere. I mean, 50,000 tabs opened up at one time in my brain.

[Narrator]

Her attacker demanded to know where Morgan kept her valuables.

[Morgan Metzer]

Where's your jewelry? Where's, you know, all of your other nice stuff? And he's ripping out stuff out of my, you know, my drawers. And then the attacker asked for my phone and the passcode to my phone.

[Narrator]

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 Metzer]

I wasn't too sure what he was doing on my phone at the time until I heard a door lock open, which was for the back porch.

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

He got me out of the bed, walked me out to the back porch. I was naked still with my zip tie handcuffs behind my back.

[Narrator]

Did he just leave you there?

[Morgan Metzer]

Yes.

[Narrator]

What did he say as he left?

[Morgan Metzer]

He said, do not get up until you hear two car honks or I'll kill you.

[Narrator]

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 Metzer]

I just listened to the stream and tried to be as peaceful and calm as I could.

[Narrator]

40 minutes passed. Then a sound in the distance struck terror in Morgan all over again.

[Morgan Metzer]

I hear somebody walking up.

[Narrator]

Unable to see, she feared her attacker had returned to finish the job.

[Morgan Metzer]

I hear them shuffling, walking, and they hit the stairs and I knew they were at the top when he hit the first board and it creaked really loud.

[Narrator]

That's when Morgan heard a very familiar voice.

[Morgan Metzer]

Oh, honey, what happened?

[Narrator]

Morgan's grueling ordeal was finally over. And who would turn out to be her rescuer? Her ex husband, Rod Metzer. It took a lifetime to find the person you want to marry. Finding the perfect engagement ring is a lot easier. @bluenile.com you can find or design the ring you've always dreamed of with help from Blue Niles jewelry experts who are on hand 247 to answer questions and the ease and convenience of shopping online. For a limited time, get $50 off your purchase of $500 or more with code audio nile.com that's $50 off with code audiolownile.com hey, prime members, have you heard? You can listen to your favorite podcasts.

[Morgan Metzer]

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[Narrator]

That's Amazon.com adfreepodcast to catch up on the latest episodes without the ads. When Morgan's ex husband, Rod Metzer, turned up at her house, he immediately called 911. Cherokee County 911. Somebody broke in over here. She was on the back porch and the back door was wide open.

[Morgan Metzer]

She was tied up with a hood over her head.

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

I'm gonna be right here. I'm gonna leave the door open, okay?

[Narrator]

He came up and rescued her on the back porch. Saved her. Saved her.

[Morgan Metzer]

Her hero.

[Narrator]

Absolutely. 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? That's correct. He moved here shortly after the divorce. Rod said he'd received an eerie message about Morgan that night. He was getting ready for bed. He was brushing his teeth when he heard knocking on his window. That knocking was accompanied by a voice in which he could only decipher the word Morgan was being said. 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. He obviously went to the worst. He thought that something was going to happen to Morgan or something might be happening to Morgan. 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?

[Morgan Metzer]

14 years old.

[Narrator]

Was it love at first sight?

[Morgan Metzer]

Yes, it was. It was scary how fast it was.

[Narrator]

He was 17 at the time. Kathy Metzer is Rod's mother. We were on the way to a baseball game and he said, mom, you're going to meet Morgan tonight. And I said, who's Morgan? That's my girlfriend. And I said, what? He said, be nice. Did Rod change at all when he was dating Morgan? Oh, yeah. There was nothing that she could mention that she didn't get. How did he treat you?

[Morgan Metzer]

Amazing. He called me princess. And so he literally treated me like that.

[Narrator]

No one was surprised when the couple married. And 2009 we are gathered here today.

[Morgan Metzer]

In the presence of God.

[Narrator]

Morgan was 21 years old. Morgan was one of the most gorgeous brides I've ever seen in my life.

[Morgan Metzer]

Love is patient, love is kind.

[Narrator]

Weather was perfect. It was outside, so thank goodness for the weather.

[Morgan Metzer]

It was everything I dreamed of. My dad gave me everything I could want. You know, it was just precious. You may kiss to your heart's content.

[Narrator]

What was marriage like in the very beginning?

[Morgan Metzer]

It was just awesome. It's just you two, you're mourning the loss of your, like, wedding being over and your honeymoon. And it's like, I want to go again.

[Narrator]

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. And it really hit Rod hard. I mean it. I don't think he was ever the same after that. He depended on Morgan at that point more than he did anybody. I don't think he left her side for more than an hour or two. But the next year would bring some good news to celebrate.

[Morgan Metzer]

We got pregnant with our son.

[Narrator]

Morgan says picking his name was easy.

[Morgan Metzer]

Kevin always wanted to be an uncle. He always talked about it, how much fun he would have.

[Narrator]

They named him Kevin, after my Kevin, Rod's brother. 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.

[Morgan Metzer]

He actually died on his due date.

[Narrator]

The loss of a child is unthinkable and I would imagine tough for you and Rod.

[Morgan Metzer]

Very tough. Don't really remember a lot of it. It's a big blur with all the emotions.

[Narrator]

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? And I just screamed at the top of my lungs. Two babies, you know, twins. Twins. They were going to have twins. 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 Metzer]

Probably about a year after they were born, which is right around the time that Rod lost his job, is when it started going down south from there.

[Narrator]

What did Rod do for work? He.

[Morgan Metzer]

He had so many jobs. His main one when he lost all of his money was he was being a day trader for himself.

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

I started my own interior design business and it took off, but I just didn't expect it to boom. And blow up.

[Narrator]

Morgan's company, Shiplap and sugar, became so successful, she asked Nicole to join her. And she was saying, I need help.

[Morgan Metzer]

I'm overwhelmed.

[Narrator]

She became business martyr.

[Morgan Metzer]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Making money, working our tails off, doing what we loved. 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 Metzer]

I guess we had gotten to an argument about something. That's the first night he beat the. He beat me.

[Narrator]

Did you think he hit me? I've got to get out of here. Yes.

[Morgan Metzer]

I had my dad come and get me.

[Narrator]

Shockingly, Morgan says Rod tried to convince her and the people closest to her that she was to blame for her injuries.

[Morgan Metzer]

He convinced my parents that I was the one that did it.

[Narrator]

What did he say?

[Morgan Metzer]

You're just out of control. You couldn't keep your temper. You were just wailing all over the place.

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

Well, I'm like, okay, well, maybe that's my fault. And my friends stopped talking to me then because he had no marks on them. It was all me.

[Narrator]

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. I think she thought she was crazy.

[Morgan Metzer]

You know, you get programmed to think that you're crazy, like it's all in your head.

[Narrator]

Morgan says Rod even involved their children in his deception.

[Morgan Metzer]

He pretended I pushed him down the stairs. He literally rolled down the stairs. You know, he actually got hurt and said to the kids, look, mommy pushed me downstairs. Can you believe that?

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

A lot of times he was very aggressive and wouldn't take the word no. And so now, looking back on it, I guess he did sexually abuse me.

[Narrator]

Morgan filed for divorce in 2020. When Morgan decided to go through with the divorce, how was she handling it? You know, it was the first time.

[Morgan Metzer]

I think I saw her have peace.

[Narrator]

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 3am Rod's behavior had struck them as unusual. Yeah, so as we were walking up, Rodney was seated in his car right here with another deputy. Did he say anything? Yeah, he did. And he asked, hey, man, are you the guy that we've been waiting on? And I said, yes, sir, I am. And then he replied, do your job. What did you think? I was taken aback. I really was. This guy just had found his wife bound and beaten on the back porch. And you would think that my arrival to help find a resolution to this would be welcoming. Immediately, Morgan's appearance startled the investigators. Her eye was swollen shut in black and blue where she still had the zip tie around her one wrist. And I was shocked, and I'd seen a lot in my career, and I was surprised that somebody would be so harsh. What did it make you think Somebody was mad? Absolutely. It was emotional attack. Morgan was not only physically injured, investigators could tell she had suffered psychologically after the attacker left her. She was feared that she was someone was still back here watching her and that they were going to kill her if she moved. And so she laid here and waited. Morgan was outside for 40 minutes before Rod arrived. But initially she thought it was just half that. Morgan believed it to be somewhere around 15 to 20 minutes max. That was her perception of time. Interesting. I would have thought the opposite. That would have felt longer for her. I agree. Where their adrenaline's going, you know, people perceive things differently. 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. Spell your last name for me.

[Morgan Metzer]

M E T Z E r. Safely.

[Narrator]

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 Metzer]

I just thought it was him.

[Narrator]

When you say him, you're talking about your ex husband. Morgan said she had no idea who her assailant was when the attack began. But then came one critical moment when.

[Morgan Metzer]

He said, you're gonna miss your husband. I said, no, don't hurt my husband. I love him very much. And I don't know what made me do that. But at that exact moment is when the mood of the room changed. I knew I was gonna live.

[Narrator]

And then there was another, even bigger clue. When her attacker lifted Morgan off the bed to place her outside.

[Morgan Metzer]

And that's when I really knew it was him.

[Narrator]

Morgan remembered something from years earlier.

[Morgan Metzer]

I was pregnant with my kids, my twins, and sometimes you have to get help out of the bed. The way he gently held me and got me out of the bed, it was so familiar that I was like, this is him. I know it's 100% him. I wasn't gonna let him know that I knew it was him because if he did, then I didn't know what he was gonna do.

[Narrator]

She told them. The attack had followed a chaotic week, which began with very troubling news.

[Morgan Metzer]

He thinks he's got pancreatic cancer. He just called me and said, I've got pancreatic cancer. And so I rushed to go see him. I said, you're the father of my children. I'm here for you. He showed me doctor's notes and whatnot.

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

They've been sleeping on my sofa because he'd been really freaked out and upset, obviously.

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

He kept begging me to get back together with me, Just constantly haggling me.

[Narrator]

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 Metzer]

He said, no, absolutely not. I'm not telling anybody. And that's when I was like, okay, get out.

[Narrator]

Morgan says rod spent the day texting.

[Morgan Metzer]

Her, you need to get back with me. I'll make enough money. You can quit your job right now.

[Narrator]

Fed up with it all, Morgan lied and told Rod she'd be sleeping elsewhere that new year's eve night.

[Morgan Metzer]

Stay at my parents house tonight. I'm turning my phone off, like, giving me some space.

[Narrator]

As morgan shared her suspicions with investigators, she didn't know if they would accept what she was telling them.

[Morgan Metzer]

I've been mentally, emotionally, physically abused Because.

[Narrator]

Rod made her feel like she was to blame for years.

[Morgan Metzer]

That's what he's built in my brain.

[Narrator]

But that all changed when sergeant livers told her he believed her.

[Morgan Metzer]

And I just melted. He heard me. I have not been heard in years. Nobody listened. Nobody heard me. And he heard me.

[Narrator]

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. Why didn't you check with her parents? He claimed it was just habits. What I would do. Are you scratching your heads? Yeah. We questioned him on it. 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. I think that's what prompted us. Hey, where's your phone? Rod handed his cell phone to the investigators, gave them permission to look through his phone. And what they found came as a surprise. It was Apple iPhone and it had a hidden folder. And in the hidden folder were images of Morgan partially dressed. 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. She was quite alarmed. 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. You did have that permission. Y'all don't have that relationship. She's baffled that you have that. That's stalkerish. We knew we had to get him in custody while we started doing search warrants and started investigating to prevent him from destroying evidence.

[Morgan Metzer]

People make mistakes, and I. I think.

[Narrator]

You made a lot of mistakes. People make big mistakes. So you arrested him for having taken those photos secretly? That's correct. That's correct.

[Morgan Metzer]

Y'all kidding me?

[Narrator]

Nope. We're not kidding you. But could investigators prove that Rod Metzer had attacked Morgan that night? Thumbtack presents the ins and outs for.

[Morgan Metzer]

Caring for your home.

[Narrator]

Out.

[Morgan Metzer]

Indecision, overthinking, second guessing every choice you make in plans and guides that make it easy to get home projects done. Out beige on beige on beige. In knowing what to do, when to do it, and who to hire, Start.

[Narrator]

Caring for your home with confidence. Download Thumbtack today.

[Morgan Metzer]

Hi listeners.

[Narrator]

This episode is brought to you in part by Echo Kids. Echo Kids is a cute smart speaker with Alexa made just for kids.

[Morgan Metzer]

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[Narrator]

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[Morgan Metzer]

Watched him get arrested, walk to the car, and be put in. It was kind of like, is this really happening?

[Narrator]

Was any part of you sad?

[Morgan Metzer]

No, not at the time. I was angry and just sore.

[Narrator]

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 believe he thought he was going to come in and rescue her and be the savior and win her back. 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 with him. It was never recovered. Were you ever able to retrieve those missing videos from the security company? No. Once videos are deleted, they're deleted from their cloud. 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. That's correct. Right here is the. The window that we found. The screen was actually removed. That basement window had an alarm sensor that was removed from the window and put together on the windowsill. So if the window was to open, it would appear, you know, to the alarm system that the sensor is still making contact. Investigators believed Rod had disabled the sensor while he was staying at Morgan's house that week.

[Morgan Metzer]

I was sleeping. It was in the middle of the night.

[Narrator]

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 Metzer]

He had sent me a picture of a check, and he's like, it's underneath your front porch.

[Narrator]

It was for $56,000 and change. Morgan says the message Rod sent with the picture of the check made it seem like he was. Was trying to make a grand gesture.

[Morgan Metzer]

You should have all the money. You deserve everything. Pretty much in a nutshell, I think.

[Narrator]

It was to get her to come back to the house that evening because she told Rodney she was going to be at her parents house for New Year's. Morgan returned to the house, retrieved it, and kind of made some sort of a. Of a gesture and she walked back into the house and put it on the kitchen countertop. Morgan's attacker took the. That check with him. It was never found. What did you find out about Rod's finances? That check would have bounced. Yeah, he was broke. 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. He was working in the dark. He was handcuffing somebody. You never know how much fight that person's going to put up. One of the zip ties actually was pretty unique because it had two other zip ties that had been ratcheted onto it and then cut. And so basically, what we were looking at was a zip tie that had two extra heads, Hawk and 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. Yes, they are. This is crime scene technician Melanie Thrasher. She was able to match this tail to one of the heads on the zip tie from Morgan's wrist. 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? That we were going to be adding charges to his existing booking, and we had our guy. I would have never imagined having a piece of evidence like this. But the search warrant of Rod's apartment yielded even more. There was a book. 7 Ways to Be her hero. Be her hero. To. To win somebody back. That gave us the motive. I think it added to that motive. Investigators examined Rod's browser history. The searches were very disturbing. He was researching how to change your voice, 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. He Google searched cancer diagnosis letters. Yes. 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.

[Morgan Metzer]

I think it was to get me back. It might have been both.

[Narrator]

Rodney, you know me. I'm Investigator Livers.

[Morgan Metzer]

Yes, sir.

[Narrator]

On January 3rd, two days after the attack, Sergeant Livers and Sergeant Tom Harris interviewed Rod. They talked to him about his health. You said you're diabetic?

[Morgan Metzer]

Yes.

[Narrator]

What other kind of health issues do you have? Nothing as far as I know of yet. I thought you had cancer. Detective Livers confronted Rod about the cancer diagnosis he'd faked to Morgan. How did you tell her that?

[Morgan Metzer]

This.

[Narrator]

This cancer thing.

[Morgan Metzer]

I don't know if I should talk to you guys anymore. I'm starting to get really bad at.

[Narrator]

Feeling what angle you guys are going. Then Rod tried to turn the tables by attempting to take the upper hand in the interview.

[Morgan Metzer]

I've already learned something about you that.

[Narrator]

Your facial expression isn't.

[Morgan Metzer]

And you keep scratching yourself when you get agitated by what I say.

[Narrator]

I'm 100% not agitated. The investigators also questioned Rod about his Internet searches. Has there been a time recently where you were interested in how you can change the sound of your voice? Maybe. Tell me about that.

[Morgan Metzer]

I felt like I wasn't. Voice wasn't manly enough.

[Narrator]

Then Harris lowered the boom. The most significant thing that we found in your apartment was a collection of zip ties.

[Morgan Metzer]

Zip ties? Black zip ties.

[Narrator]

I don't have zip ties. I know you don't.

[Morgan Metzer]

We have them.

[Narrator]

Now. These. These are identical to the ones that were binding Morgan's wrist. This is starting to get squirrely. Harris told Rod about that zip tie tail they'd recovered. And we compared that microscopically to the zip ties that were on Morgan's wrists when the deputies found her. And wouldn't you know it? It is a perfect cut.

[Morgan Metzer]

There's something funny going on here.

[Narrator]

Did somebody break in?

[Morgan Metzer]

And there's something funny going on here.

[Narrator]

Like what?

[Morgan Metzer]

I don't know. I didn't have some big ass zip ties in my apartment.

[Narrator]

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. Today's podcast is sponsored by Strawberry Me. Think coaching is just for CEOs and high powered executives. At Strawberry Me, we believe everyone deserves access to personal coaching. Strawberry's coaches are trained to help you navigate life's challenges and achieve your goals. Whether it's improving relationships, boosting confidence, Finding career direction or any other area where you need to unlock your full potential. An affordable Strawberry Me membership offers one on one video sessions with your coach and secure messaging in between to keep you on track. This is real coaching with real results, accessible to everyone. Visit Strawberry Me podcast and take a short quiz to get matched with the perfect certified Coach. Plus get 20% off your first month membership. That's Strawberry Me podcast. Remember when gaming meant dropping hundreds on a console or gaming PC? Well, those days are over. Amazon Luna lets you play your favorite video games instantly on devices you already own. Just like streaming a movie. No expensive hardware required. Here's the Amazon Luna Magic. All you need is an Internet connection and a screen. Your phone, tablet, laptop, fire, tv, they all instantly become your gaming oasis. No game downloads, no special hardware. Just gaming. And we're talking hundreds of amazing games here, from the latest releases to beloved classics. Fortnite, Sonic, Assassin's Creed, Fallout, Batman, action adventure, racing, strategy, RPGs. So much game, so little time. But the best part, if you're an Amazon prime member, remember, you can play on Luna for free. That's right, free. Ready to level up your gaming? Head to Amazon.com Luna to start playing today. No console, no problem. That's cloud gaming with Amazon Luna. Y'all are making me feel like that. You think I did this. 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.

[Morgan Metzer]

As soon as I felt that gun right here in my head, I was like, all right, Jesus, I'm coming.

[Narrator]

The next day, Morgan, with her friend Nicole by her side, talked to investigators again. Thought you were going to die? Yep.

[Morgan Metzer]

I thought I was dead. But then also part of me is like, no, I'm not. I'm not gonna let myself die. I've gotta fight for my kids.

[Narrator]

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. Morgan, I thought it was kind of interesting that he called out your name as he's walking around the side of your house.

[Morgan Metzer]

Yes. It's like, why would you think I was outside?

[Narrator]

What was your reaction when you learned Rod had been arrested for violently attacking Morgan? Oh, that. That absolutely threw me under the ground. There had to be a mistake. Rod wasn't capable of that. Two days after Rod was charged, he talked to his mom, Kathy on the phone. Why is she doing this to me? She knows it wasn't me. But the evidence kept mounting. When investigators recovered those zip ties from Rod's apartment, the bag they came in was found as well. I brought up my Lowe's app on my phone and scanned the UPC code, and the UPC code came back that they were, in fact, sold at Lowe's. The sheriff's office then went to the two Lowe's that we have here in Cherokee county, and they started searching for transactions. It didn't take long. Rod Metzer had purchased those zip ties on December 30, 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. There's actually one inside the breezeway there, which leads to Rodney's apartment. Specifically, Sergeant Liver says there was no video of Rod leaving after he said someone knocked on his window. What we do see is after the time of the incident that Morgan was attacked, Rodney come in disheveled, in a hurry. 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 1:24am we never found that bag in his car when we did the search warrant. We just don't know where that went. Investigators can 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 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 4, 2021, Rod pleaded guilty to a total of 14 counts related to Morgan's attack and the photos found on his phone. He agreed to serve 25 years on a 70 year sentence. So when he gets out in 25 years, he'll serve another 45 years of probation. I think you even described it as like a death.

[Morgan Metzer]

It is a death. I've lost my husband. He's dead to me.

[Narrator]

At Rod sentencing, Morgan delivered a victim impact statement several pages long.

[Morgan Metzer]

Once I got started, it just started pouring out of me.

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

Rod. Not only will this statement be to my attacker, but it'll also be my last words. To whom I thought was the love of my life the last four years. Being married to you was like living with a monster that constantly tried to break me down and fence me in. It was a blessing in disguise. I can now walk with the confidence, knowing the pain you have given me has turned into power. I walked off that stand with a thousand pounds off of my shoulders. It felt so good. It felt empowering. And I got the last word.

[Narrator]

How was it to listen to your best friend read this incredibly powerful statement? It was awesome because she did not.

[Morgan Metzer]

Cry, her voice did not shake, and she said everything she needed to say. And when she was done, she was done.

[Narrator]

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? He hasn't wanted me to. Why? He's afraid of my reaction. Rod suffers from type 1 diabetes, and Kathy says his health is rapidly declining in prison. You're worried he could die? Oh, I'm absolutely worried he's going to die. Morgan says once the ordeal was behind her, she had to take steps so she could recover. Seeking therapy to help her cope.

[Morgan Metzer]

Everything happens for a reason. God has everything happen for a reason, and I'm starting to see that right now. There's just a lot of great things that are happening with us.

[Narrator]

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

[Morgan Metzer]

I'm trying to raise awareness for narcissism and gaslighting. I want to help women realize they're in a situation before it gets too bad. I'm just excited to see who she.

[Narrator]

Continues to grow to become.

[Morgan Metzer]

She's strong and resilient, so this is just a stepping stone in her journey.

[Narrator]

Rod Metzer's sentence prevents him from contacting Morgan and their children in any way. It's a true crime double feature. First, revisit the case against Scott Peterson. This case remains an enduring mystery. Then New updates on the JonBenet Ramsey murder. Do you believe this case could be solved? Yes I do. 48 Hours True Crime double feature CBS next Saturday, 9, 8 Central and streaming on Paramount. Plus if you like this podcast, you can listen ad free right now by joining Wondery plus in the Wondery app. Before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a quick [e-mail] survey we all know attention spans have never been shorter and it's harder to reach the right audience. But with Paramount Ads Manager you can advertise your business on Paramount's top shows, sports, movies, TV and of course, news. Even 48 hours. Your ads will get 30 second unskippable views on premium brand safe content on Paramount, the fastest growing streaming Service and over 15 major networks. You can use the ads you already have or make new ones with Paramount help at no additional cost. Sign up today, be on TV tomorrow. Put your business in show business with Paramount Ads manager. Go to adsmanager.paramount.com that's adsmanager.paramount.com to learn more. They say Hollywood is where dreams are made, a seductive city where many flock to get rich, be adored and capture America's heart. But when the spotlight turns off, fame, fortune and lives can disappear in an instant. When TV producer Roy Raiden was found dead in a Canyon near LA in 1983, there were many questions surrounding his death. The last person seen with him was Lainey Jacobs, a seductive cocaine dealer who desperately wanted to be part of the Hollywood elite. Together, they were trying to break into the movie industry. But things took a dark turn when a million dollars worth of cocaine and cash went missing. From Wondery comes a new season of the hit show Hollywood and Crime. The Cotton Club Murder. Follow Hollywood and Crime the Cotton Club Murder on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts, you can binge all episodes of the Cotton Club Murder early and ad free right now by joining Wondery Plus. Behind the closed doors of government offices and military compounds, there are hidden stories and buried secrets from the darkest corners of history. From COVID experiments pushing the boundaries of science to operations so secretive they were barely whispered about. Each week on Redacted Declassified Mysteries, we pull back the curtain on These hidden histories, 100% true and verifiable stories that expose the shadowy underbelly of power. Consider Operation Paperclip, where former Nazi scientists were brought to America after World War II not as prisoners, but as assets to advance US intelligence during the Cold War. These aren't just old conspiracy theories, they're thoroughly investigated accounts that reveal the uncomfortable truths still shaping our world today. The stories are real. The secrets are shocking. Follow redacted Declassified mysteries with me, Luke Lamona, on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts to listen ad free. Join Wondery plus in the Wondery App.