Matthew Livelsberger’s tragic death outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas shocked the public, but behind the headlines lies a much deeper story of a man battling with the horrors of war and the invisible wounds of PTSD.
His ex-girlfriend, Alicia Arritt, who had been in a relationship with him for three years, opened up about the emotional toll Livelsberger had been carrying for years.
Her raw account sheds light on the mental health struggles he faced and the ultimate tragedy of his final moments.
PTSD and Its Toll on Livelsberger
Arritt, who dated Livelsberger from 2018 until their eventual separation, recalls how the Green Beret soldier began showing signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) early in their relationship.
The trauma he experienced during his time in the military was something he was open about, often sharing his struggles with his ex-girlfriend.
He would openly discuss the grief he felt over losing his teammates in battle, as well as the nightmares and paranoia that began affecting him in 2020.
Alicia shared heartbreaking text messages where Livelsberger expressed his feelings of hopelessness and depression.
In one text, he admitted, “I have been spiraling down the last week or so,” and in another, he wrote, “Sometimes I get hopeless and depressed… By far the worst of my life.”
These messages painted a picture of a man deeply tormented by his experiences but struggling to find a way out of the darkness.
Livelsberger’s Struggle with Seeking Help
As an Army nurse, Arritt was familiar with PTSD and the many challenges veterans face in seeking help for mental health issues.
She explained that despite the military providing resources, there was still a stigma attached to seeking mental health care, especially in elite units like the one Livelsberger served in.
He feared that seeking help would label him as unfit for duty, which could jeopardize his career and standing among his peers.
This unwillingness to seek treatment became a significant factor in his downward spiral.
In 2020, Livelsberger’s mental state worsened, with fatigue, weight gain, and a decline in his ability to focus.
His condition was consistent with textbook symptoms of PTSD, but he remained reluctant to seek proper care, not wanting to be considered non-deployable.
Arritt noted that while the VA had made progress in caring for veterans, active-duty military personnel like Livelsberger often had to endure their struggles until their service was over.
The Fateful Day in Las Vegas
On December 29, 2024, just days before his tragic death, Livelsberger reached out to Arritt, sending her a message showing off a rented Tesla Cybertruck.
He mentioned that the truck made him feel like “Batman,” and spoke excitedly about his new job building drones
. However, it was clear that something was amiss, as he had been struggling with deep emotional turmoil for a long time.
On New Year’s Day, Livelsberger drove the truck from Colorado to Nevada, where, within an hour of arriving in Las Vegas, he detonated a bomb in the bed of the truck outside the Trump International Hotel.
Authorities later determined that Livelsberger was the only casualty of the explosion, and they credited the sturdy design of the Cybertruck for preventing further destruction and loss of life.
His suicide bombing, which was initially suspected to be a terrorist attack, was later clarified when the FBI uncovered writings and a manifesto from Livelsberger that revealed his true motive.
Livelsberger’s Manifesto and Motive
In a manifesto sent to a retired U.S. Army intelligence officer just before the bombing, Livelsberger explained his actions.
He expressed concerns over the mysterious drones flying over the U.S. East Coast, which he believed were Chinese weapons and a serious national security threat.
However, in a more chilling part of his writings, he made it clear that the bombing was not an act of terrorism, but a personal “wake-up call” to the American public.
His message read, “We (the US) are terminally ill and headed towards collapse.
This was not a terrorist attack, it was a wakeup call.
Americans only pay attention to spectacles and violence – what better way to get my point across than a stunt with fireworks and explosives.”
He also described the bombing as a way to “cleanse his mind” and relieve the burden of the lives he believed he had taken during his service.
The Military’s Response and Resources Available to Soldiers
The military has resources in place to support the mental health of soldiers, such as the Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) program, which offers holistic care for physical, cognitive, and medical challenges.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Special Operations Command confirmed that Livelsberger had access to these resources, and there was no indication that he displayed concerning behaviors leading up to his death.
However, despite the resources available, the stigma surrounding mental health in the military, particularly in high-stress units like special forces, played a significant role in Livelsberger’s tragic end.
He was granted personal leave, but his struggles with mental health went unnoticed by his superiors, highlighting the need for further action and understanding in addressing mental health issues within the armed forces.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Mental Health Awareness
The story of Matthew Livelsberger is a tragic reminder of the toll that PTSD and mental health struggles can take on individuals, even those who appear outwardly strong.
His death serves as a wake-up call not only for the military but for society as a whole to address the stigma surrounding mental health, especially among veterans and active-duty service members.
Livelsberger’s actions, though devastating, have opened up a larger conversation about the need for better mental health support systems for those who serve in the military.
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