Thing hanging down under car, what happened?

[MBStarr]

Hey! My wife noticed the car made a funny noise this morning when she turned it on. We looked under the car and saw a pipe hanging down. It looks to me like it is after the catalytic converter, but please correct me if I am wrong.

What happened here exactly, and how much do you think it costs to fix?
Is welding required? A local welder said he wouldn't go near a hybrid.

Thoughts? Causes? Thought Estimates? This car is an 06' ford escape hybrid model.

[65comet]

That is the muffler. The catalytic converter is in front of it toward the front. The muffler has come apart from the last section of tail pipe that goes to the back. If the two flanges have bolt holes in them, then all that is needed is a new flange gasket and two new bolts with washers and nuts. If one of the flanges doesn't have bolt holes in it, but has the remains of two pressed in studs, then they would have to be pressed, drilled or torched out so new bolts can be used.

[MBStarr]

wow thank yo so much for the thoughtful reply.