WIDOW OF ACTIVE DUTY SOLDIER KILLED IN CYBERTRUCK EXPLOSION DISPUTES CLAIMS
2025 started off in terrible fashion for many communities and our nation as a whole. This includes the terrorist attack in New Orleans; however, the city of Las Vegas is also facing its own similar situation thanks to a Cybertruck explosion allegedly conducted by Army Special Forces Master Sgt. Matthew Livelsberger outside of the Trump hotel. While this is a developing story, here’s what we know about the events and new information gathered in the days following the explosion's aftermath.
Update: As more information comes forth, the Cybertruck explosion becomes more complex. New pieces to the puzzle continue to paint a more complete picture. Some of the widely reported “facts” involved in the event have now been disputed by Livelesberger’s widow. It’s important to remember that there are multiple sides to any story and the investigation is still ongoing. An update involving some of the things she wishes to clear up is available towards the bottom of this page.
Cybertruck Explosion Linked to Highly Decorated Army Green Beret
A Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside of the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas took place on January 1, 2025, New Year’s Day.
The suspect is a highly decorated U.S. Army Green Beret named Matthew Livelsberger, who is believed to have acquired the vehicle through a rental on the popular app Turo.
There are still many moving pieces, including what exactly was used to create the explosion, and ultimately, if Sgt. Livelsberger is in fact the man responsible, why did he carry out the attack?
An attack that many who knew him believe to be uncharacteristic of the Army Veteran who served multiple tours defending our nation in Afghanistan.
Matthew Livelsberger Military Service
Master Sgt. Matthew Livelsberger began serving the military in 2006 and was known among the Green Beret community.
Livelsberger operated overseas and found himself rising through the rams all while earning multiple awards, such as a combat infantry badge, two Bronze Stars, including one with a valor device for courage under fire, and an Army Commendation Medal with valor.
The 37-year-old Veteran helped counter-terrorist operations and trained others to do so with an overseas career reaching Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Still serving his country, Livelsberger was an active-duty Soldier; however, was taking approved leave during the time of the attack.
Batman, Halo, and Relationships
Again, the investigation surrounding the Cybertruck explosion allegedly conducted by Matthew Livelsberger is still unfolding; however, there have been reports of the following facts surrounding these circumstances:
Livelsberger sent texts to his ex-girlfriend Alicia Arritt talking about the Tesla Cybertruck after renting it and before his eventual suicide.
- In the text message, Livelsberger told Arritt that the vehicle made him feel like “Batman or (Halo),” referencing the DC Comics superhero and best-selling video game franchise respectively.
- The FBI found Arritt as a part of its investigation, in which the bureau discovered that Livelsberger tried contacting multiple ex-girlfriends days before the Cybertruck explosion and his suicide.
- Livelsberger shot himself in the vehicle before the Tesla exploded.
- Although a resident of Colorado Springs, Livelsberger left on December 26, 2024, after his wife accused him of cheating.
Matthew Livelsberger Left a Note Calling This a “Wake-Up Call”
An update on the Cybertruck explosion investigation shows that Livelsberger left a note calling the attack a "wake-up call" for the United States.
"Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence. What better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives? Why did I personally do it now? I need to cleanse my mind of the brothers I've lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took,” said the note recovered in the investigation.
It was also pointed out that the Cybertruck bombing was "not a terrorist attack" like the similar, yet, unconnected events that took place on the same day in New Orleans.
"Fellow service members, (Veterans) and all Americans, TIME TO WAKE UP! We are being led by weak and feckless leadership who only serve to enrich themselves," wrote Livelsberger.
Conspiracies and Unanswered Questions
There is still a lot we don’t know about the incident and while the recovered letter may be helping put more sense as to why Livelsberger did what he did, there are still a lot of questions remaining.
The FBI is pointing out that despite this unfortunate and public example, the actions by Livelsberger could very well be yet another example of mental health issues affecting the Veteran community.
What remains unclear; however, is why he chose the location and the Tesla Cybertruck specifically.
Both Trump and Musk are high-profile businessmen connected to the upcoming administration where President-elect Donald Trump will be sworn in on January 20, 2025.
These events have led some to believe that there may be more than meets the eye as to why Livelsberger picked the location and vehicle for his final act.
Furthermore, Livelsberger is believed to have sent an email to the popular podcast The Shawn Ryan Show, detailing conspiracies in which he was being followed by the feds and was part of airstrikes in Afghanistan that killed civilians yet was covered up.
The email also claimed that the weird drone clusters going around the United States were from China, despite there being no official proof of this being the case.
Officials continue to look into the email sent by Livelsberger who claims to have already rigged his explosives to keep federal agents away, before sending the message.
However, despite an overall sense that the email was from the Cybertruck explosion suspect, it still hasn’t been confirmed as of this writing.
Is the Cybertruck Explosion in Vegas Connected to the Terrorist Attack in New Orleans?
There are some similarities between the Cybertruck attack in Vegas with the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans allegedly conducted by Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar; however, as of this time, officials have not connected the two.
Both Livelsberger and Jabbar served in the Army and trained at Fort Liberty (previously known as Fort Bragg). When asked if the attacks were connected, Kevin McMahill (sheriff of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department) explained, " What we do know about that it it's a very large military base, and we no record that they served in the same unit or even at the same years at Fort Bragg." Additionally, both vehicles used in each event were rented using Turo.
However, the attack on NOLA is believed to have a direct connection to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), considering the ISIS flag was in the truck used to conduct the act of terror.
In Vegas, multiple devices were in the back of the truck, including fireworks and other explosives, which caused seven people to sustain minor injuries.
It’s still being investigated whether or not a bomb was involved and the blast sent force upward rather than to the side.
Whether or not the Cybertruck explosion is officially considered terrorism or not almost doesn’t matter.
The events Americans have faced to begin the new year remain unfortunate and as a society, it’s up to us to move forward with positivity and love rather than violence.
Matthew Livelsberger’s Widow Jennifer Davis Disputes Early Investigation Findings
During an interview with the host of Speak the Truth podcast, Matt Tardio, Jennifer Davis, the widow of the man believed to be responsible for the Cybertruck explosion on New Year’s Day, is disputing some of the facts being reported.
“I wanted to ensure that I gave her a voice. Matt did 19 years in the Army, with multiple deployments, and he did that for his country. Regardless of how this investigation turns out in the end, he served honorably, to my knowledge. I think it is important that her side of the story be told,” said Tardio, a retired Veteran who served as a Green Beret—including a short stint with Livelsberger.
Davis elected to speak with Tardio after reaching out through a mutual contact due to the misconceptions surrounding her husband and on behalf of the couple’s 7-month-old daughter.
For starters, according to Davis, the couple experienced a “fabulous” Christmas leading up to the events that would cost her husband his life.
Livelsberger by all accounts was excited to be home and eager to see how much his daughter had grown. He was looking to do as much as he could during his two-week leave with his family and rented an Airbnb in Breckenridge to create memories.
According to Davis, Livelsberger was supposed to meet with a Navy SEAL he knew with the intention of receiving drones to bring with him back to Germany when he returned to duty.
The Morning of December 26th
The morning of December 26, 2024, was the last time Davis saw her husband, right after he had made her breakfast in bed. Instead of going on a hike and then Breckenridge, Livelsberger said he had a stomachache and decided to skip it.
It was at this time that Livelsberger decided to rent a vehicle and leave.
Based on his phone’s journal, Livelsberger seems to believe that someone was following him. Furthermore, he emailed Davis on December 30, 2024, telling her that their shared online accounts needed their passwords changed.
During the time of the Cybertruck explosion, Davis was dealing with her own emotions wondering whether or not her husband was safe and wouldn’t even learn of the event until Livelsberger’s father called her with the news.
A New Year's Day Phone Call
On New Year’s Day, Davis received a call from the FBI, requesting a meeting. Initially in denial, she realized the gravity of the situation when asked to identify her husband Livelsberger’s tattoos and provide their daughter’s DNA.
Since his death, Davis has been working hard to protect her daughter while coping privately. She broke her silence to refute claims that she had thrown Livelsberger out before his suicide, emphasizing his dedication to family and country. Davis hopes for answers to make sense of his tragic death.
Davis read some of Livelsberger's journal entries when speaking to Tardio, “I have a wonderful wife and 7-month-old baby girl. All I ever wanted to do (was) have a family. My wife and daughter are the most incredible humans on this earth. Please physically protect my family, mostly because they are going to get caught up in all of this.”
Regardless of anything else that comes out of the Cybertruck explosion investigation, it’s important to remember that the heart of all of this is a military family dealing with a very public example of the negative effects poor mental health can inflict. In a world where everything is a click, link, or repost away, empathy, grace, and patience can go a long way.
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