WASHINGTON — A special forces soldier, Matthew Livelsberger, who received numerous commendations for his military service, tragically took his own life in a Cybertruck explosion on New Year’s Day. The 37-year-old former Green Beret had shared his struggles with mental and physical hardships with a former girlfriend—a nurse who had served in the Army. She asserts that these issues were likely symptoms of traumatic brain injury stemming from his military experiences.
Livelsberger was a five-time Bronze Star Medal recipient, one with “V” device for valor in battle, showcasing an illustrious military career that spanned various global locations. Last year, he also welcomed a new child into his life. However, the psychological aftermath of his service, which included taking lives and witnessing fellow soldiers fall, left him grappling with significant mental distress.
Though Livelsberger had kept much of his suffering to himself, he recently sought help for his depression from the Army, as reported by a U.S. official wishing to remain anonymous. His relationship with Alicia Arritt, who was a nurse during their time together, provided him a space to open up about his experiences.
Arritt, 39, met Livelsberger via a dating app while both were residing in Colorado Springs. Her background includes experience at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where she treated severe injuries from combat missions. She noted that traumatic brain injuries, often resulting from explosive attacks, can have delayed symptoms, sometimes taking years to manifest.
In correspondence with Arritt, Livelsberger revealed aspects of his struggles, such as exhaustion and the effects of concussions from his deployment in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He shared with her a poignant tattoo of two skulls, symbolizing the lives he took during his service. He confided, “My life has been a personal hell for the last year,” expressing relief at having someone kind in his life.
On Friday, the Las Vegas police disseminated excerpts from the messages Livelsberger left behind, indicating that his act of suicide might have been intentional, aimed at both delivering a “wake-up call” and confronting his inner demons linked to his wartime experiences.
Livelsberger’s death near the Trump Hotel, using a Tesla Cybertruck, raised questions surrounding potential political motives, though officials clarified that he did not appear to harbor negativity towards President-elect Donald Trump. Arritt mentioned that they were both fans of Tesla vehicles and had shared a passion for working on them together.
Their interactions diminished after a breakup in 2021, with Arritt not hearing from Livelsberger for over two years until unexpected messages from him in late December. He seemed lively in his messages, sharing clips of driving the Cybertruck, although Arritt sensed deeper meanings and feelings behind his choice of vehicle and location.
Arritt, a veteran with service from 2003 to 2007 and in the Army Reserve until 2011, noted that signs of TBI emerged early in their relationship. She recalled that Livelsberger experienced withdrawal phases, battled depression, and suffered memory lapses.
While she could not pinpoint the exact cause of his tragic decision, she felt that the military had failed to provide him with the critical assistance he required during challenging times. Nevertheless, she described Livelsberger as inherently kind and compassionate, highlighting his profound strength and integrity.
In response to Livelsberger’s death, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh addressed reporters, declaring that the military had submitted all of his medical records to local law enforcement. She urged anyone struggling with mental health issues to utilize available resources and support systems, both on base and in civilian sectors.
During their relationship, Arritt encouraged Livelsberger to seek help, but his concerns about losing deployment opportunities if deemed unfit to serve kept him from doing so. She mentioned that within his unit, stigmatization surrounding mental health was prevalent, and displaying vulnerability was often misinterpreted as a sign of weakness.
Reports of Livelsberger’s efforts to obtain depression treatment have been made known previously.
