Man found dead after offering to help stranger who claimed his car had broken down
A man's body was found in a burnt out truck in the desert just hours after coming to the aid of a stranger.
According to police, an unknown man appeared at Paul Clifford's home on December 23, claiming he had car problems.
Paul's wife, Christina, told KVOA that they were getting ready for bed when they saw a flashlight shine through their window, followed by a plea for help.
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Her 52-year-old husband went to investigate the commotion despite her attempts to stop him.
Christina recalled: "I said, 'no don't go we can call somebody", he said, 'No nobody is coming to help them I need to help them' and went out the door."
She said that she couldn't see who was out there but could hear a man talking, adding: "He sounded nothing but sincere, 'Please I broke down, I can’t get any help. I just need a jump will you please help me'."
Paul then set out in his daughter's truck to assist the stranger at around 11.30pm that night, but he did not return.
After his family reported him missing, a body, which was later identified as Paul, was discovered next to a burning car on a desolate road northeast of Tucson, some 14 miles away from home a day later.
Police didn't provide a cause of death at the time of the discovery.
Deputy Adam Schoonover of the Pima County Sheriff's Department also said (via The Independent): "It’s very far, it’s very remote and to get out there it takes a specific vehicle. I think you can get there in a two wheel vehicle but it’s going to be very slow going."
Sabrina Vining, who identified herself online as Paul's daughter, wrote in a GoFundMe fundraiser that her father was a 'gentle giant with a huge, caring heart'.
Yesterday, it was announced that three suspects had been arrested by police after authorities received information regarding three possible suspects on Monday (December 30), according to NBC News.
Two of the suspects were identified by police as Jack Daryl Upchurch, 40, Elmer Glenn Smith, 19, and Wendy Scott, 16.
The outlet further reports that Pima Regional SWAT team were issued a search warrant for the residence and upon arrival, police said this lead to a stand off, as the suspects barricaded themselves inside a home and calling 911 to negotiate a surrender.
They then left the property and were taken into custody.
All three have been charged with first-degree murder in connection to Paul's death and other charges including armed robbery and arson of an occupied structure.
According to 13 News, Scott is being charged as an adult, hence why she is being identified by police.
The sheriff's department said they'd been booked Pima County Adult Detention Center on felony arrest warrants, however, they did not specify any motive or connection to Paul's death.
According to jail records, Upchurch's bond is $1 million, while Smith is on $1.025. Scott's bond is on half a million.
Sabrina reacted to the arrests on social media, writing on Facebook: "The detective called us last night at 9:00pm and told us they had suspects arrested and in custody!
"Thank you to the law enforcement officers that diligently worked my dad’s case."
UNILAD has contacted Pima County Sheriff's Department for further comment.
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