Hero Or Villain? A Woman’s Ex Told Police He Rescued Her From A Violent Encounter

When Rodney Metzer showed up to rescue his wife, Morgan, from a horrifying, violent encounter in the middle of the night, it appeared he was there to save her — but was he?

Rodney Metzer (left) and his ex wife Morgan Metzer (right), pictured here smiling and hugging.

When Rodney Metzer shows up to rescue his wife, Morgan, from a horrifying, violent encounter, it appears he is there to save her, but Morgan soon suspects he is no hero, and instead may be going to disturbing lengths to prevent her from ever leaving him.

Photo by: Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (Screenshot from ID's "Evil Lives Here")

Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (Screenshot from ID's "Evil Lives Here")

It was love at first sight when Morgan Metzer met her future husband, Rodney, when she was in high school. They were always together, appearing at prom and homecoming dressed to the nines. After graduating, they moved in together. After 18 months, they were engaged. They married when Morgan was just 21.

Morgan’s father never had a good feeling about Rodney as he transitioned from crush to boyfriend to fiancé to husband, but Morgan thought her father was being too judgemental. Rod was perfect, she insisted. He was all she’d ever known, and she was madly in love with him.

“The Signs Were There”

Morgan’s father had been right about his son-in-law.

She didn’t realize Rod came from a wealthy family until he inherited a large number of stocks after their wedding. He spent hours in his office working as a day trader. The high-stress environment began to cause outbursts, and Morgan often heard Rod yell, curse, and slam the doors if the stock market wasn’t going his way. In time, the yelling became physical when Rod began punching walls and throwing things.

Morgan tried to step in once to help soothe her husband’s anger, but he turned his fury and began screaming at her to get out of his office.

Rod’s fuse grew even shorter when the couple’s twins were born. It was clear to Morgan that the babies were an inconvenience to her husband; he had no tolerance for messes or the chaos of childhood. She often found herself locked in the closet with her children while Rod beat on the door and raged outside. Sometimes, he only needed a few minutes to calm down. Other times, she and the twins would hide in there for hours.

Rod simply wasn’t the man she’d married, though she wasn’t concerned that he would ever get physically violent with her.

That all changed one weekend when the couple attended a birthday party for a friend. It was a kid-free weekend, and Morgan was looking forward to some time away with her husband.

The party took place on a rented boat where the adults were drinking, laughing, and talking. At dusk, Morgan headed to her and Rod’s room to get some rest. He burst into the dark room a short time later and accused her of embarrassing him in front of his friends. When Morgan told Rod that she was going to sleep, he began punching her in the face. When he finally stopped and turned on the lights, her blood was splattered across the wall from her bloodied nose.

Unfortunately, the worst was yet to come.

Find out what happened on Evil Lives Here “He Pretended to Save Me” on ID on July 31 at 9/8c. Episodes are also available to stream on discovery+.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic violence or abuse from a romantic partner, you can visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website, call 1.800.799.SAFE, or text START to 88788 for help. Advocates are available 24/7 to help callers talk through their situation and connect them with local resources. There is no charge to reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Next Up

Was The Death Of Army Private LaVena Johnson Murder Or Suicide?

“Our LaVena would never do this to herself,” Linda Johnson insists of her daughter. “Someone did this. Someone took her from us.”

A Las Vegas Man Paid His Handyman To Kill His Estranged Wife With A Hammer

A phone call to an anonymous tip line pushed police back towards the grieving husband of a Las Vegas cocktail waitress.

A Texas Woman Met Her End At The Hands Of Her Desperate Husband

After three failed marriages, Doris Andrews thought the fourth time would be the charm. Instead, a gambling addiction led her husband to do the unthinkable.

Police Raced To Track Down Texas Father Kidnapped And Beaten By Home Intruders

It was all hands on deck as officers with the Titus County Sheriff’s Office worked to find 30-year-old Ernie Ibarra, who was kidnapped from his home in the middle of the night.

‘Mom Influencer’ Sentenced After Falsely Accusing Couple Of Trying To Kidnap Her Children

In 2020, Katie Sorensen falsely accused a couple of trying to kidnap her kids in a viral Instagram video and a local news program. Now, she will spend 90 days in jail for falsely reporting a crime.

Deadly Georgia Love Triangle Leads To Murder Among Neighbors

A mother plied her son with drugs and material possessions as she masterminded her romantic rival’s murder.

A Man’s Family Is Certain He Was Wrongly Convicted Of Murdering His Pregnant Wife In 1997

Rodney Patrick McNeal is in prison after authorities say he murdered his wife in a fit of rage in 1997. His family has been adamant about his innocence ever since.

California Man Allegedly Kills Wife, Kidnaps Daughter Before Both Dying In Police Shootout

On Sept. 27, 2022, accused murderer Anthony John Graziano and his teenage daughter were killed in a shootout with law enforcement after a 45-mile chase on a Southern California highway.

Accident Or Murder? Man Fleeing House Fire Dies After His Wife Strikes Him With Vehicle

“I don’t know why he didn’t survive,” Linda Stermer says of her husband Todd’s grisly 2007 death in Michigan.

Missing Connecticut Mom Jennifer Dulos Officially Declared Dead As Trial Begins

Jennifer Dulos, a missing mother of five from New Canaan, Connecticut, was officially declared dead, and now her ex’s girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, is on trial in connection with her murder.