Three people have been arrested in connection with the death of a good Samaritan in Arizona last month, according to officials.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department identified two of the suspects as Jack Upchurch, 40, and Elmer Smith, 19. The third suspect is a 16-year-old whose identity has not been disclosed due to being a minor.
The arrests are related to the death of Paul Clifford, a 53-year-old man whose body was discovered near a smoldering car northeast of Tucson on December 24. According to Clifford’s daughter, Sabrina Vining, her father disappeared late at night on December 23 after leaving his home to assist someone with a stranded vehicle. She shared this information through an online fundraiser, describing how a stranger had come to their home asking for help with his car.
Clifford’s family reported him missing, and tragically, he was later found dead. Authorities have not disclosed the cause or manner of his death.
On Monday, officials received information about the possible whereabouts of the suspects. Detectives, along with the Pima Regional SWAT team, searched a property after obtaining a warrant. The suspects initially barricaded themselves inside the residence but later called 911 to negotiate their surrender. They eventually exited the house and were taken into custody without further incident.
The sheriff’s department has not released details about the motive for the killing or how the suspects were linked to Clifford’s death. All three individuals are being held at the Pima County Adult Detention Center on felony arrest warrants.
Jail records show that Upchurch’s bond is set at $1 million, Smith’s bail is $1.025 million, and the minor’s bond is $500,000. As of now, it is unclear whether the suspects have legal representation. Jail records do not list attorneys for any of them.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to uncover more details about the events leading to Clifford’s tragic death.
