Trump Tower Cybertruck bomber sent ex chilling texts about vehicle before bomb attack
Matthew Livelsberger texted his ex-girlfriend just days before he shot himself in the head and the Cybertruck he had rented and packed with explosives blew up outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas
The US Army member who blew himself up in a Tesla Cybertruck packed with fireworks outside Trump Tower sent his ex-girlfriend chilling texts about the vehicle before the attack, it has emerged.
Matthew Livelsberger, 37, texted multiple previous partners in the days leading up to the Las Vegas attack on New Year's Day. He bragged to one ex that his "ungodly" fast Cybertruck made him feel "like Batman" before shooting himself in the head inside the truck, which then burst into flames outside the hotel.
Detectives, including the FBI, are now investigating potential motives for the attack, which happened while Livelsberger was "on leave from active military duty in Germany." During the investigation, it has emerged that Livelsberger had broken up with his wife and reached out to an ex-girlfriend before he shot himself in the head and was blown up.
Livelsberger's second wife, Jennifer Davis, had left him just six days before the attack as she believed he was cheating on her. Now, his ex-girlfriend, Alicia Arritt, has shared screenshots of messages between her and Livelsberger at 9am on Sunday, just three days before the attack.
She described him as "like a kid with a new toy" in a series of texts before the explosion. One text from Livelsberger, obtained by the Denver Gazette, read: "I rented a Tesla Cybertruck. It's the s**t." Seven minutes later, he texted again, adding "I feel like Batman or halo," referring to the hugely popular sci-fi video game franchise.
Ms Arritt and Livelsberger dated for three years between 2018 and 2021, in between his first and second marriage. Ms Arritt said she found it strange that he had reached out, given they split years ago, but responded to him in the same way she would an old friend.
"How fast is it?" she asked him. He responded saying it was "Ungodly". Livelsberger also bragged about his "new position", saying "I'm building drones in my new position you would love it".
Ms Arritt says she is struggling to come to terms with what happened in the days following their messages, describing her ex as a conservative patriot who loved his country. Speaking to the Denver Gazette, she said: "I just want everyone to know that Matt was the kindest man I ever knew. He got me through a difficult time."
After reading texts between the pair, the FBI tracked Ms Arritt down and told her that Livelsberger had reached out to other ex-girlfriends in the days before the explosion. But Ms Arritt had no idea what her ex was planning and still feels guilty, she said: "I don't know if I could have stopped him."
The explosion as he separated from his second wife, Ms Davis, who he had a young child with. Ms Davis, who lived with Livelsberger in Colorado Springs, Colorado, told the Green Beret she knew he was cheating just six days before he self-immolated. According to friends of his first wife, Sara Livelsberger, the special forces soldier was "bizarre and unhealthy".
Sara's friend, Stacie Wilssens, said he and Sara were "polar opposites", as she supported Bernie Sanders while he backed Trump. Ms Wilssens, who hadn't spoken to Livelsberger in years, explained: "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."
Sara began divorce proceedings in 2017 and they were finalised a year later, according to the Denver Gazette. Sara is then said to have left Colorado and remarried. Livelsberger maintained a property in Colorado Springs, with one neighbour shocked to learn he was the bombing suspect.
Cindy Helwig said she'd known Livelsberger and his second wife, who recently had a baby, for two years. She told the Denver Gazette: "He seemed like a normal guy. His wife is awesome, too. I never expected anything like that. I would never had thought it would have been him."
Livelsberger rented the Cybertruck in Colorado Springs before driving it across the border into Nevada on Wednesday morning to carry out his attack. Sheriff Kevin McMahill said the car arrived in Las Vegas at 7.30am before exploding at 8.40am in the valet area outside the hotel.
Cops found charred fireworks, gas cannisters and camping fuel in the bed of the truck after they were finally able to put out the fire. Credit cards, his passport and military ID were found on Livelsberger, with Ms Arritt saying he was identified by a World War II plane tattoo on his arm.