A US Army special forces soldier sent haunting text messages to his ex-girlfriend about feeling "like Batman" in his Tesla Cybertruck just days before he died in an explosion outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
Matthew Livelsberger, 37, reached out to former flame Alicia Arritt on Sunday morning, three days before the New Year's Day blast that injured seven people.
"I rented a Tesla Cybertruck. It's the s**t," Livelsberger wrote in messages obtained by the Denver Gazette.
"I feel like Batman or halo," he added seven minutes later.
Arritt, who dated Livelsberger between 2018 and 2021, responded by asking about the vehicle's speed. "Ungodly," he replied.
Livelsberger went on to tell his ex-girlfriend about his new role, texting: "I'm building drones in my new position you would love it."
The FBI later informed Arritt that Livelsberger had contacted other former girlfriends in the days before his death.
"I just want everyone to know that Matt was the kindest man I ever knew," Arritt told the Denver Gazette.
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The texts came just days after Livelsberger's second wife, Jennifer Davis, left him over suspicions of infidelity. The couple, who shared a young child, separated on Boxing Day following a confrontation about his alleged cheating.
His relationship troubles dated back to his first marriage to Sara Livelsberger, which ended in 2017. A friend of Sara's, Stacie Wilssens, described the special forces soldier as "bizarre and unhealthy".
"Nothing ever felt stable or steady between the two of them. She was trying to get healthy, and he would mock her. He preyed on her," Wilssens told reporters.
Police found Livelsberger's body "burnt beyond recognition" inside the Cybertruck after the explosion at approximately 8.40am on New Year's Day.
Investigators discovered he had shot himself before the blast, with a handgun found at his feet inside the vehicle. The truck bed contained fireworks, gas canisters and camping fuel when it exploded outside the hotel's revolving doors.
Seven people suffered minor injuries in the blast, though authorities credit the Cybertruck's robust design with limiting casualties.
"The fact this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage," Sheriff Kevin McMahill said. "It made most of the damage go up rather than out."
The FBI is investigating whether the incident was politically motivated, given its location at Trump's hotel and use of a Tesla vehicle.
Detectives are also probing potential connections to a separate attack in New Orleans, where a man drove a truck into New Year revellers, killing 14 people. Both Livelsberger and the New Orleans attacker had served in Afghanistan in 2009, though officials say there is no evidence they served in the same units.
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Matthew Livelsberger, 37, reached out to former flame Alicia Arritt on Sunday morning, three days before the New Year's Day blast that injured seven people.
"I rented a Tesla Cybertruck. It's the s**t," Livelsberger wrote in messages obtained by the Denver Gazette.
"I feel like Batman or halo," he added seven minutes later.
Arritt, who dated Livelsberger between 2018 and 2021, responded by asking about the vehicle's speed. "Ungodly," he replied.
Livelsberger went on to tell his ex-girlfriend about his new role, texting: "I'm building drones in my new position you would love it."
The FBI later informed Arritt that Livelsberger had contacted other former girlfriends in the days before his death.
"I just want everyone to know that Matt was the kindest man I ever knew," Arritt told the Denver Gazette.
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The texts came just days after Livelsberger's second wife, Jennifer Davis, left him over suspicions of infidelity. The couple, who shared a young child, separated on Boxing Day following a confrontation about his alleged cheating.
His relationship troubles dated back to his first marriage to Sara Livelsberger, which ended in 2017. A friend of Sara's, Stacie Wilssens, described the special forces soldier as "bizarre and unhealthy".
"Nothing ever felt stable or steady between the two of them. She was trying to get healthy, and he would mock her. He preyed on her," Wilssens told reporters.
Police found Livelsberger's body "burnt beyond recognition" inside the Cybertruck after the explosion at approximately 8.40am on New Year's Day.
Investigators discovered he had shot himself before the blast, with a handgun found at his feet inside the vehicle. The truck bed contained fireworks, gas canisters and camping fuel when it exploded outside the hotel's revolving doors.
Seven people suffered minor injuries in the blast, though authorities credit the Cybertruck's robust design with limiting casualties.
"The fact this was a Cybertruck really limited the damage," Sheriff Kevin McMahill said. "It made most of the damage go up rather than out."
The FBI is investigating whether the incident was politically motivated, given its location at Trump's hotel and use of a Tesla vehicle.
Detectives are also probing potential connections to a separate attack in New Orleans, where a man drove a truck into New Year revellers, killing 14 people. Both Livelsberger and the New Orleans attacker had served in Afghanistan in 2009, though officials say there is no evidence they served in the same units.
Find Out More...