The explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, December 28th, claimed the life of the driver and injured seven others. Law enforcement swiftly initiated an investigation, focusing on identifying the deceased driver and determining the cause of the explosion. Through meticulous investigative work, authorities identified the driver as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, an active-duty U.S. Army Special Operations soldier based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. While the body was severely burned, making visual identification impossible, investigators pieced together a compelling case using circumstantial evidence.
A combination of recovered items found at the scene and digital footprints solidified Livelsberger’s identity. Among the personal effects discovered within the wreckage were a military ID card, a passport, and several credit cards, all bearing Livelsberger’s name. A partially visible tattoo on the charred remains further corroborated this identification, aligning with existing records. The investigation also unearthed two firearms, a Desert Eagle .50 caliber semi-automatic pistol and another semi-automatic weapon, although both were significantly damaged by the explosion. An iPhone, a smartwatch, and a handgun found at the driver’s feet completed the grim inventory. Despite the extensive burns, authorities determined that Livelsberger had sustained a gunshot wound to the head prior to the detonation.
Livelsberger’s movements leading up to the explosion were traced through a combination of rental car records and charging station photographs. He had rented the Cybertruck via the Turo app on December 28th and embarked on a journey that spanned multiple states. Images captured at charging stations in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona confirmed his presence in the vehicle. The final charging stop occurred in Kingman, Arizona, just hours before the vehicle was first sighted in Las Vegas. Security footage documented the Cybertruck’s movements in Las Vegas, showing it driving along the Strip, briefly stopping at the Trump Hotel valet, leaving, and then returning just moments before the explosion.
The explosion occurred at approximately 8:40 a.m., just 17 seconds after Livelsberger returned to the valet area. The timing and circumstances raised immediate concerns about a potential act of terrorism, particularly given the concurrent attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. In that incident, a truck bearing an ISIS flag plowed into a crowd, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The driver, identified as Shamsud Din Jabbar, had also rented his vehicle through Turo. The parallel use of rental trucks and the timing of both incidents prompted investigators to explore a possible connection between Livelsberger and Jabbar.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill revealed that both Livelsberger and Jabbar had served at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, although not concurrently. Both men also had deployments to Afghanistan in 2009, though there’s no evidence they served in the same unit or province. Livelsberger, a Green Beret operations sergeant, primarily served at Fort Carson, Colorado, and in Germany. He was on approved leave from his assignment in Germany at the time of the incident. While these shared military connections raised initial suspicions, the investigation did not uncover any direct link between Livelsberger and Jabbar or any evidence of coordinated planning.
While Livelsberger’s identity has been established with a high degree of certainty through circumstantial evidence, Sheriff McMahill emphasized the importance of obtaining conclusive scientific confirmation. Due to the severity of the burns, DNA testing or medical records are necessary for absolute certainty. The investigation continues to explore all possible angles, including the sequence of events leading to the explosion and the definitive determination of whether the act was intentional or accidental. The gunshot wound, the presence of firearms, and the destructive nature of the incident all contribute to the complexity of the case. Authorities are diligently working to piece together the fragmented evidence and provide a comprehensive account of this tragic event. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are committed to uncovering all relevant facts to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the explosion.
