Soldier Who Died by Suicide in Las Vegas Cybertruck Explosion Struggled with Pain and Trauma from Afghanistan Service

On New Year’s Day, 37-year-old Army Special Forces soldier Matthew Livelsberger tragically ended his life in a Tesla Cybertruck explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas. Highly decorated and deeply admired, Livelsberger’s death has drawn attention to the lingering physical and emotional toll of his military service.

A Life of Service and Sacrifice

Livelsberger’s military record was nothing short of exemplary. A five-time recipient of the Bronze Star—one with a “V” for valor—he served in some of the most challenging deployments worldwide, including Afghanistan’s Helmand Province. His missions required immense bravery, but they came at a heavy personal cost.

The decorated Green Beret grappled privately with the trauma of taking lives and witnessing the deaths of fellow soldiers. Despite a recent effort to seek treatment for depression, the weight of his experiences proved overwhelming.

Confiding in a Former Army Nurse

Alicia Arritt, 39, a former Army nurse, became one of Livelsberger’s few confidants. The two met in 2018 in Colorado Springs. Having served at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany—where some of the most severe injuries from Iraq and Afghanistan were treated—Arritt was no stranger to the effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Livelsberger revealed to Arritt the toll his service had taken. In text messages and photos shared with her, he described exhaustion, pain, and sleepless nights. He also expressed guilt and torment over his role in combat, including graphic details about his deployments.

“Just some concussions,” he said dismissively in one text, a likely reference to TBIs that can lead to long-term cognitive and emotional challenges.

The Emotional and Physical Struggles

Livelsberger’s messages to Arritt laid bare the extent of his pain. “My life has been a personal hell for the last year,” he confided, expressing hope that her kindness could be a source of comfort.

One image he shared showed a tattoo on his arm depicting two skulls pierced by bullets—symbolizing lives he took during combat. The emotional scars of those actions, paired with the loss of fellow soldiers, created what he described as “demons” that haunted him.

A Tragic Final Message

Las Vegas law enforcement shared excerpts from messages Livelsberger left behind, offering insight into his state of mind before his death. He described his actions as both a “wake-up call” and a way to “cleanse the demons” that plagued him.

Livelsberger’s suicide has reignited conversations about the struggles faced by veterans and active-duty soldiers, especially those who carry the unseen burdens of TBIs and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Silent Toll of Service

Livelsberger’s story highlights the challenges many service members face upon returning home. Traumatic brain injuries and PTSD often manifest years after combat and can lead to significant emotional and psychological struggles.

Arritt, reflecting on her experience treating soldiers with TBIs, noted the difficulty in diagnosing and addressing such injuries. “The personality changes can happen later,” she said, emphasizing the importance of long-term care and support for veterans.

A Call to Action

Livelsberger’s death underscores the urgent need for better mental health resources and support systems for military personnel. His life of service and sacrifice serves as a reminder of the profound toll that combat takes on those who serve.

As the military and mental health professionals reflect on his tragic loss, it is hoped that Livelsberger’s story will lead to greater awareness and action to address the silent struggles faced by countless veterans and active-duty soldiers.