A tragic and shocking crime has unfolded in Pima County as three suspects—Jack Upchurch, 40, Elmer Smith, 19, and 16-year-old Wendy Scott—have been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of Paul Clifford, a good Samaritan who was found dead on Christmas Eve. Clifford, 53, had set out to assist a stranger with car trouble, but he never returned home. His body was discovered near his own burned-out vehicle in a remote area northeast of Tucson, after he left his daughter’s truck to help jump-start a vehicle on December 23.
The suspects, who face charges including first-degree murder, robbery, vehicle theft, and arson, were apprehended after a tense standoff involving the Pima Regional SWAT Team. They had barricaded themselves inside a residence after investigators tracked them to a location near Benson Highway. The suspects surrendered peacefully after negotiating with law enforcement.
Clifford’s daughter, Sabrina Vining, expressed her gratitude to the detectives working tirelessly on her father’s case, thanking them for bringing the suspects to justice. In a heartfelt tribute, Vining described her father as a “gentle giant with a huge, caring heart” and shared how deeply devastated the family was by the loss. The case has left the community shaken, with many stunned by the brutality of the crime.
