Additional Coverage:
Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion
Initially thought to be connected to the New Orleans tragedy, new details have emerged suggesting that the explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas was a personal tragedy.
Army Veteran’s Struggles
Master Sgt. Matthew Livelsberger, a decorated U.S.
Army Special Forces veteran, sent a cryptic email on New Year’s Eve expressing grievances and distress related to his military service. In a text, he indicated a desire to “relieve himself of the burden of lives I took.”
Mental Health Concerns
Experts say Livelsberger may have faced challenges common to elite special operators, such as traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. His email raised concerns about civilian casualties in an airstrike, suggesting ongoing psychological struggles.
Father’s Account
Livelsberger’s father stated that he was home for Christmas with his family before renting the Cybertruck and driving to Las Vegas. The Pentagon reported no red flags before his departure from Germany.
Investigation Findings
Investigators believe Livelsberger planned and executed the bombing alone. He had sent photos and videos of the Cybertruck to a former girlfriend on the day before the explosion.
Former Girlfriend’s Perspective
Alicia Arritt, who dated Livelsberger intermittently, described him as kind and thoughtful. She revealed that he had suffered a traumatic brain injury during deployment, leading to memory problems and headaches. Arritt recognized these as TBI symptoms from her experience in military hospitals.
Grief and Support
Livelsberger’s former colleagues expressed shock and sadness over his death. Fardin Fetwat, an Afghan interpreter who served alongside him, credited Livelsberger with saving his life. Livelsberger’s actions have highlighted the ongoing mental health challenges faced by veterans and the need for support and resources.