The ex-girlfriend of the individual who caused an explosion with a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas has revealed the text messages she received from him in the days leading up to the incident.

Authorities identified the man as 37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger, a decorated Army soldier from Colorado Springs. He was on approved leave when he traveled to the Trump hotel.

On January 1, Livelsberger shot himself just before the Tesla vehicle exploded, leading to minor injuries for seven people.

Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill suggested that the explosion was aimed at causing more harm to the hotel, but the building remained largely unaffected because the steel-sided truck caused the blast to vent ‘out and up’.

The explosive was described as ‘crudely built’. Kenny Cooper, a special agent in charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, remarked: “The level of sophistication is not what we would expect from an individual with this type of military experience.”

In the days preceding the explosion, Livelsberger communicated via text with his ex-girlfriend, Alicia Arritt, a former Army nurse. Arritt later spoke to The Denver Gazette about their exchanges.

On December 29, at 9am, Livelsberger texted Arritt from Denver, saying: “I rented a Tesla Cybertruck. It’s the s***.”

The exchange was light-hearted, without any hint of what was to come. Livelsberger added: “I feel like Batman or halo.”

He continued texting Arritt until New Year’s Eve, sharing photos and videos of the vehicle.

Though Arritt was pleased to hear from him, she found it odd given their difficult breakup in 2021.

Livelsberger updated her on his life, saying: “I’m building drones in my new position. You would love it.”

Arritt inquired about the Cybertruck, particularly its speed.

Livelsberger responded: “Ungodly.”

As the investigation into the explosion continues, Arritt told The Denver Gazette that Livelsberger was ‘the kindest man’ she’d ever known.

“He got me through a difficult time,” she recalled, mentioning how Livelsberger had also bought a house for his mother when she fell ill.

She noted a change in his behavior towards isolation in 2019, after returning from the Middle East with a traumatic brain injury. Yet, she described Livelsberger as a patriotic man, which leaves her puzzled over the events on New Year’s Day.

At the time of his death, Livelsberger was married and had recently become a father.