How Evidence Turned an Apparent Rescuer into a Convicted Attacker in Georgia

On New Year's Day 2021, investigators responded to a reported home invasion in Canton, Georgia. At the scene they found Morgan Metzer with her wrists bound by zip ties and visible bruising to her face. She told officers the attacker had worn a mask to hide his identity.

Her ex-husband, Rod Metzer, told police he had discovered her on the back porch and called 911. Morgan later told investigators she suspected the intruder was her ex-husband, prompting further inquiry.

Search Warrant and Forensic Evidence

Police executed a search warrant at Rod Metzer's apartment and recovered a bag of zip ties and a small fragment of a zip tie. At the crime lab, technicians compared the fragment with the restraints on Morgan Metzer's wrists and confirmed a match.

Motive and Digital Trails

Investigators also found the book 7 Ways To Be Her Hero in Rod's apartment and determined Morgan had previously told officers he had been trying to win her back. Examinations of Rod's browsing history revealed suspicious searches such as "How to change the sound of your voice" and "How to get sympathy from your ex."

Fake Cancer Claim

The week before the assault, Rod had told Morgan he had pancreatic cancer. Investigators discovered he had created a fraudulent email account and produced a fake hospital letter to support that claim. When Detective Dakota Lyvers confronted him about the forged document, Rod responded, "I don't know if I should talk to you guys anymore. I'm starting to get a really bad feeling ..."

Retail Evidence and Video

Although Rod initially denied owning zip ties, investigators used a mobile app to scan the UPC on the packaging and found the product sold at Lowe's. A review of local transactions showed the same style of zip ties had been purchased with Rod Metzer's debit card. Lowe's surveillance footage captured Rod buying the zip ties on Dec. 30 — roughly 36 hours before the Jan. 1 attack.

Prosecution and Sentence

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ashe described the case to "48 Hours" as "a prosecutor's dream," calling the evidence "overwhelming." Rod Metzer pleaded guilty to 14 counts related to the attack and to charges involving invasive photos found on his phone. He received an aggregate 70-year sentence: 25 years in prison followed by 45 years of probation.

Aftermath

Morgan Metzer says she is focused on supporting other women who have experienced similar abuse and on raising her children. Her decision to speak out highlights survivor resilience and the role of coordinated forensic and digital investigation in securing accountability.

Key Quote: "This is a prosecutor's dream," Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ashe said, describing the cumulative evidence as overwhelming.

The zip ties that were used by the assailant to bind Morgan Metzer's wrists. / Credit: Cherokee County District Attorney's Office

In the crime lab, a portion of a zip tie — essentially a tail — found in Rod Metzer's apartment, lined up with one of the extra heads on Morgan Metzer's restraints. / Credit: Cherokee County District Attorney's Office

The book

A screenshot from Rod Metzer's internet search history. / Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Rod Metzer, right, being questioned by Cherokee County investigators. / Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

A bag of zip ties found during a search of Rod Metzer's apartment. / Credit: Cherokee County District Attorney's Office

Rod Metzer, right, is seen in an image from security video purchasing zip ties at a Lowe's store on Dec. 30, 2020. / Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

On Aug. 4, 2021, Rod Metzer pleaded guilty to a total of 14 counts related to the attack on his ex-wife and the photos found on his phone. / Credit: Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Morgan Metzer shares her story with