Las Vegas was rocked on New Year's Day when Matthew Livelsberger, a decorated Green Beret, died by suicide during the explosion of his rented Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel. The shocking incident raised immediate questions about Livelsberger's motives and mental state, as investigators began piecing together his troubled past.
Livelsberger, 37, who had served multiple combat tours, including two deployments to Afghanistan, had received numerous commendations, including five Bronze Stars for valor. Yet, beneath this honorable service lay significant struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other personal grievances, which he confided to those close to him.
According to the FBI and local law enforcement, Livelsberger’s actions were not politically motivated, as he harbored no resentment toward President-elect Donald Trump, but they may have stemmed from deep, personal turmoil. Early investigators found items including firearms, fireworks, and notes on Livelsberger's phone, indicating he sought to create what he termed a “wake-up call” for the American public.
“This was not a terrorist attack; it was a wake-up call,” Livelsberger wrote, highlighting the need to draw attention to societal issues through “spectacles and violence.” He believed the impact would provoke thought and discussion among Americans, who, according to him, only notice the world’s troubles when they are presented dramatically.
A former girlfriend, Alicia Arritt, who had been with Livelsberger intermittently from 2018 to 2021, recalled his struggles with mental health. She described how he often went through periods of withdrawal and exhibited signs of trauma from his military service. “He struggled with depression and memory loss,” she commented, speaking to how deep-rooted issues from combat can haunt those who serve.
Livelsberger had reached out to Arritt just days before the incident, sharing upbeat messages alongside distressing hints about his state of mind. On December 31, he sent her videos of him driving the Cybertruck, accompanied by messages filled with excitement about the vehicle's features. Yet this veneer of enthusiasm concealed the reality of his inner turmoil.
Days leading up to the explosion showed Livelsberger battling emotional strain. He had legally purchased firearms and rented the Cybertruck on December 28, traveling over 800 miles from Colorado to Las Vegas. Arritt recounted, “He had been feeling watched and was very anxious during our last conversations.”
Livelsberger’s final act took place moments before the explosion, as he fatally shot himself inside the truck packed with fireworks. The explosion injured seven bystanders but caused minimal damage to the hotel structure itself, raising alarms across the community. Investigators soon realized they were dealing with what appeared to be, tragically, a case of suicide, rather than terrorism.
The police reported Livelsberger had written extensively about his perceived grievances against military leadership, and his desire for change. “Our soldiers are done fighting wars without end states or clear objectives,” one of his notes read, as he sought to express discontent with the military's direction. Although he showed no ill will toward Trump, the location of his last acts—a high-profile site often associated with the president—sparked speculation over possible political connections.
Local and federal authorities are continuing to investigate Livelsberger's actions, particularly examining the extensive data recovered from his phone and the Cybertruck. "We are barely scratching the surface of what we’ve found,” said Sheriff Kevin McMahill. The police are expected to rebuild the timeline and motives behind Livelsberger’s final hours and more deeply explore the complex relationship between mental health issues and military service.
The Pentagon has confirmed it is cooperating fully with the investigation, having turned over Livelsberger’s medical records, but it remains unclear about whether he was adequately treated for his mental health conditions. While he had sought help, Livelsberger was reluctant to pursue treatment due to fears of being deemed unfit for service, encapsulating the stigma often faced by those seeking mental health care within military culture.
Officials stress the importance of addressing mental health issues among service members, as stigmas can prevent individuals from seeking the help they need, leading to tragic outcomes like Livelsberger’s. “If you need help, if you feel you need to seek any type of mental health treatment, or just to talk to someone,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh, “seek the services available, either on base or off.”
Livelsberger's passing serves as a somber reminder of the costs of war beyond the battlefield, spotlighting the importance of improved support systems for veterans facing mental health challenges. His story resonates painfully, encapsulating the struggles many service members endure but often suffer silently, highlighting the urgent need for societal support and change.