Joe Yates
Disturbing phone notes written by the Cybertruck bomber have been revealed, with him stating the deadly event 'was not a terrorist attack', but 'a wake up call'.
On New Year's Day, US Special Forces soldier Matthew Livelsberger took his own life while sat in his Tesla Cybertruck which exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
The highly decorated 37-year-old serviceman from Colorado Springs was on approved leave when he traveled to the Trump hotel and rigged his vehicle with explosives - which caused minor injuries to seven people nearby when it blew up.
Advert
While officials have concluded that Livelsberger died by way of suicide - as well as Elon Musk speaking out to confirm the Tesla senior team were investigating - they are still looking through his electronic devices as they work to find a motive for the crime.
Now, having discovered disturbing notes made on his phone, police have revealed what he wrote.
“Fellow Servicemembers, Veterans, and all Americans, TIME TO WAKE UP! We are being led by weak and feckless leadership who only serve to enrich themselves,” the first of the two notes read.
While a second read in part: “We are the United States of America, the best country people to ever exist! But right now we are terminally ill and headed toward collapse.”
It continued: “This was not a terrorist attack, it was a wake up call. 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 needed to cleanse my mind of the brothers I’ve lost and relieve myself of the burden of the lives I took.”
This revelation comes after his ex-girlfriend shared texts she received from him in the days before the explosion.
At 9am on December 29, Livelsberger text Alicia Arritt from Denver to say: “I rented a Tesla Cybertruck. It’s the s***."
The conversation was light-hearted, offering no indication as to what was to come as he added: "I feel like Batman or halo."
The soldier continued to text Arritt until New Year's Eve, sending messages which included photos and videos of the vehicle.
Though Arritt was glad to hear from Livelsberger, she noted it was strange to hear from him out of the blue after they went through a tough breakup in 2021.
Livelsberger offered an update on his life as he told her: "I'm building drones in my new position. You would love it."
Arritt responded with questions about the Cybertruck, asking how fast it was, to which Livelsberger replied: “Ungodly.”
As investigators continue to look into the explosion outside the Trump hotel, Arritt told The Denver Gazette that Livelsberger was 'the kindest man' she'd ever met.
"He got me through a difficult time," she said, recalling how Livelsberger had also bought his mother a house when she became ill.
She noted that when Livelsberger returned from a tour in the Middle East with a traumatic brain injury in 2019, his behavior changed and he became more isolated. However, Arritt also described Livelsberger as a man who loved his country, leaving her confused over the events that unfolded on New Year's Day.
At the time of his death, Livelsberger was married and had recently welcomed a child.