The investigation into the Cybertruck explosion at the Trump Hotel valet area in Las Vegas has made significant progress, with authorities identifying the driver as 37-year-old US Army soldier Matthew Livelsberger. According to Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Livelsberger died by suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot wound just before the explosives in the truck's bed detonated.

The coroner's confirmation of Livelsberger's identity and cause of death sheds light on the events leading up to the tragic incident. Livelsberger rented the 2024 Cybertruck via the Turo app on December 28th in Colorado, and surveillance footage shows the vehicle arriving in Las Vegas on the morning of January 1st. The truck made eight stops at Tesla charging stations over three days, with law enforcement officials displaying a map of its route during a briefing.

Text messages sent by Livelsberger after renting the truck reveal his excitement about the vehicle's speed, with videos of the Cybertruck and boasts about its "ungodly" acceleration. The Denver Gazette reported on these messages, which provide a glimpse into Livelsberger's state of mind before the incident. Additionally, The New York Post cited an unnamed source saying Livelsberger left his home in Colorado after an argument with his wife on the day after Christmas.

Livelsberger's uncle described him to The Independent as someone who "loved the Army" and "loved Trump." While the sheriff stated that investigators haven't found a motive for the incident, they are exploring all possible angles, including reviewing Livelsberger's phones and laptops. People from Tesla are assisting in the investigation, which may involve recovering video from the truck's built-in cameras.

The investigation has also revealed that Livelsberger rented the Cybertruck via Turo, similar to the F-150 Lightning used in an apparent act of terrorism in New Orleans. Turo stated that its trust and safety team is working with law enforcement to share any relevant information, and that neither renter had a criminal background that would have identified them as a security threat.

Although both men spent time at the same military base and served in different areas of Afghanistan in 2009, the sheriff emphasized that there is currently no evidence linking the two incidents or suggesting a connection between the men. The truck has been transported to the department's fleet services area for further inspection, with investigators finding the subject's iPhone, identification, and two firearms purchased two days earlier.

The explosive components found inside the truck consisted of consumer-grade fireworks, mortars, and aerial shells, as well as fuel enhancers and explosive targets commonly found at sporting goods stores. According to Kenneth Cooper, the ATF assistant special agent in charge, these components were used in the tragic incident.

The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the motivations behind Livelsberger's actions and determine if there are any connections between the two incidents. As the authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the Cybertruck explosion, the tech community is left grappling with the implications of these tragic events and the role of technology in facilitating such incidents.