Morgan Metzer was violently attacked at her Canton, Georgia home on New Year's Day 2021 by a masked intruder who pistol-whipped and nearly strangled her before leaving her on the back porch. Her ex-husband, Rod Metzer, later arrived and initially appeared to rescue her, but investigators uncovered that he had fabricated a pancreatic cancer diagnosis — creating fake emails, bills and internet searches to win sympathy. Rod pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to the attack and the deception and was sentenced to 70 years (25 years in prison and 45 years on probation).
Ex-Husband Faked Cancer, Staged Brutal Attack on Ex-Wife — Sentenced to 70 Years
A photo of Morgan Metzer following the attack at her home. She was found with her wrists zip tied, and bruising on her face. / Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office
In the early hours of New Year's Day 2021 in Canton, Georgia, Morgan Metzer was awakened by a masked intruder who ran into her bedroom, pistol-whipped her, bound her wrists with zip ties and strangled her nearly unconscious before leaving her on the back porch, authorities say.
"You're gonna regret this, you've done really wrong now,"Morgan recalled the attacker saying in a deep, gravelly voice he appeared to be disguising; she told investigators it sounded like "Batman." After placing a pillowcase over her head, the attacker warned her not to move until she heard two car honks.
About 40 minutes later, Morgan heard footsteps and, expecting the attacker to return, braced herself — but the voice she heard was familiar. Her ex-husband, Rod Metzer, arrived on the scene, asked, "Oh honey, what happened?" and called 911. His initial arrival appeared to be a rescue.
Investigators quickly grew suspicious. The Metzers had divorced just weeks earlier after nearly 20 years together; Morgan has said she filed for divorce following years of alleged mental and physical abuse. In the days before the attack, Rod had told Morgan he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, showed her purported doctor's notes and stayed at her home while she tried to support him.
Morgan and Rod Metzer / Credit: Morgan Metzer
Searches of Rod Metzer's apartment, car and electronic devices turned up troubling evidence: internet queries such as "How to get sympathy from your ex," "How to change the sound of your voice," and "cancer letter from hospital." Prosecutors say Rod created a fake email account posing as a doctor, fabricated a bill from a doctor's office, and produced forged documents to convince Morgan he had pancreatic cancer — a diagnosis investigators say he never had.
"He did all of this in order to convince Morgan that he had pancreatic cancer,"said Rachel Ashe, deputy chief assistant district attorney for Cherokee County.
Rod Metzer ultimately pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to the attack and to the fabrications surrounding his false diagnosis. He was sentenced to a total of 70 years in punishment: 25 years in prison followed by 45 years of probation.
The case has been featured in national reporting, including a "48 Hours" story that examined the attack, the deception and the subsequent investigation. The conviction underscores investigators' use of digital forensics and documentation to unravel a staged medical ruse tied to a violent crime.
