Crime
37-year-old Matthew Livelsberger identified as driver of Cybertruck involved in explosion at Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas
The Tesla Cybertruck involved in the incident had been rented via the Turo app in Colorado Springs and driven to Nevada.
The driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year’s Day has been identified as Matthew Livelsberger, an Army veteran from Colorado Springs, according to multiple informed sources.
Livelsberger, who had multiple Colorado Springs addresses associated with him, died in the explosion on the morning of January 1, 2024.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed that agents were conducting a stakeout at one of Livelsberger’s known addresses on Marksheffel Road late Wednesday, awaiting a search warrant.
The Tesla Cybertruck involved in the incident had been rented via the Turo app in Colorado Springs and driven to Nevada.
Livelsberger, who was reportedly on leave from active duty at the time, drove a rented Tesla Cybertruck to the hotel’s valet area before the vehicle exploded approximately 15 seconds after stopping. Law enforcement sources confirmed his identity on Wednesday, linking him to the incident that left seven bystanders wounded.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed the incident on social media, stating that the blast was caused by either “a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck” or “very large fireworks.” Musk emphasized that the explosion was unrelated to the vehicle’s functionality, and all telemetry data from the truck was normal prior to the detonation.
The attack involved a rented Cybertruck, which was reportedly obtained via the Turo app in Colorado Springs before being driven to Nevada.
Livelsberger’s personal and political background has drawn attention following the attack. His wife, believed to be Sara Livelsberger, is an outspoken registered Democrat. In a 2016 Facebook post, she shared a graphic commissioned by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee depicting Donald Trump with the words “Stop Bigotry.” She captioned the post, “Perks of being a registered Democrat… I can’t wait to slap this baby on my truck.”
This detail has added another layer of complexity to the investigation, as authorities probe any potential ideological motives behind Livelsberger’s actions.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated that investigators traced the vehicle’s journey through charging stations along its route from Colorado to Las Vegas.
The explosion, which occurred in the valet area of the Trump International Hotel, resulted in Livelsberger’s death and caused minor injuries to seven people nearby, several of whom required hospitalization.
Officials reported that firework mortars and camp fuel canisters were discovered inside the vehicle.
The fire was first reported at 8:40 a.m., according to a statement from the Clark County spokesperson. Law enforcement and fire officials are actively investigating the incident.
A spokesperson for Turo, the car-sharing platform through which the truck was rented, expressed condolences and confirmed their cooperation with law enforcement:
“We are heartbroken by the violence perpetrated in New Orleans and Las Vegas, and our prayers are with the victims and families. We are actively partnering with law enforcement authorities as they investigate both incidents. We do not believe that either renter involved in the Las Vegas and New Orleans attacks had a criminal background that would have identified them as a security threat. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards in risk management, thanks to our world-class trust and safety technologies and teams that include experienced former law enforcement professionals.”
Tesla CEO Elon Musk addressed the incident on social media platform X, stating:
“We have now confirmed that the explosion was caused by very large fireworks and/or a bomb carried in the bed of the rented Cybertruck and is unrelated to the vehicle itself. All vehicle telemetry was positive at the time of the explosion.”
Musk added that Tesla’s senior team is actively investigating the matter, noting, “We’ve never seen anything like this.”
While the motive remains unclear, law enforcement officials have not ruled out the possibility of terrorism, according to a source familiar with the investigation.
The incident comes amidst heightened security concerns following a deadly vehicle attack in New Orleans just hours earlier, where a rented pickup truck was also used. Authorities are exploring any potential connections between the two attacks as investigations in both cities continue.
Further updates are expected as the investigations by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the FBI, and Clark County Fire Department progress.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.