In a chilling tale of deceit and violence that seems ripped from a movie script, a Georgia woman bravely shares her harrowing experience of being attacked by her ex-husband, who disguised himself as a masked intruder. The shocking case, which made headlines and inspired a Lifetime movie titled “Gaslit by My Husband,” sheds light on the dark side of love and the devastating effects of domestic abuse.
Morgan Metzer, the woman at the center of this ordeal, met her ex-husband, Rodney, in high school. Their relationship, which began with the promise of young love, took a tragic turn when their first child passed away weeks after birth due to a congenital heart defect. Despite the immense grief, they went on to have twins. However, their marriage crumbled under the weight of Rodney’s financial recklessness and alleged infidelity.
By December 2020, their divorce was finalized. But Rodney, unwilling to let go, resorted to desperate measures to win Morgan back, even allegedly fabricating a cancer diagnosis. On New Year’s Eve 2020, while their twins were away, a terrifying ordeal unfolded that would change Morgan’s life forever.
Morgan awoke to a masked figure looming in her bedroom doorway. The intruder, using a voice distortion device, attacked her, brutally beating her with a pistol and leaving her with a black eye. He then proceeded to strangle her, leaving her on the brink of unconsciousness.
The details of the attack, as revealed in a news release from the prosecutor’s office, are chilling. He bound her hands with zip ties, placed a pillowcase over her head, and dragged her to the deck, leaving her face down with a chilling warning: she was not to move until she heard a car honk or she would be shot. Adding a bizarre twist, the intruder told Morgan she would miss her kids and her husband, a statement that immediately struck her as suspicious.
Shortly after, Rodney appeared at the house, claiming someone had alerted him to Morgan’s distress. However, investigators painted a different picture. They alleged that after leaving Morgan tied up, Rodney returned to his apartment, changed clothes, and went back to her house, finding her still bound and helpless.
The evidence against Rodney was overwhelming. Investigators found a handgun in his vehicle, zip ties matching those used to restrain Morgan in his apartment, and surveillance footage of him purchasing zip ties at Lowe’s, despite his claims of not knowing what they were. Further incriminating him was internet search history on his phone and laptop, revealing queries such as “how long before you starve to death,” “how to change the sound of your voice,” and “how long it takes to choke someone unconscious.”
Rodney was swiftly arrested and charged with a slew of offenses, including kidnapping, home invasion, aggravated assault, family violence, sexual battery, false imprisonment, and eavesdropping. In August 2021, he entered a guilty plea to 14 charges and was sentenced to 70 years, with 25 years to be served in prison and the remainder on probation.
Morgan’s harrowing experience was recently adapted into a Lifetime movie titled “Gaslit by My Husband,” starring Hilarie Burton. The film aims to raise awareness about domestic violence and encourage those trapped in similar situations to seek help.
In a candid interview, Morgan shared her thoughts on the movie, saying that while some parts were triggering, she found it empowering to share her story and potentially help other women in abusive relationships. She revealed that she has been contacted by numerous women who resonated with her experience, thanking her for her bravery and for giving them the strength to leave their own abusive partners.
Reflecting on the gaslighting she endured during her relationship with Rodney, Morgan highlighted how he would twist situations, making her believe she was at fault. She described how he chipped away at her self-esteem, gradually manipulating her into questioning her own sanity.
The revelation of Rodney’s fake cancer diagnosis left Morgan reeling. She expressed shock and disbelief that someone would stoop to such a level of deception, especially considering his own family history with cancer.
Morgan also bravely described the attack, recounting the terror and the feeling of being completely helpless. The moment the intruder made the strange comment about her husband, a chilling realization washed over her – this was no stranger, this was Rodney.
Now, with Rodney behind bars, Morgan is focused on healing and raising her children. While she acknowledges the possibility of encountering him again upon his release, she is determined to prioritize her safety and well-being. She expressed her hope that sharing her story will empower other women to recognize the signs of abuse and find the courage to break free.
