An Arizona family was left devastated after a loving husband and doting father of two were found murdered after he set out to help a stranger he thought needed help.
Paul Clifford, 53, was leaving his home in Benson, Arizona late on the night of December 23 when a man showed up at the Clifford family home claiming his car had broken down.
True to his generous nature, Clifford took a truck from his daughter and left around 11:30 PM to help the man. But as the hours passed with no word from him, his family became increasingly concerned.
“My dad went missing last night at 11:30pm, he took my truck to jump start someone’s vehicle. We tracked the truck and police found it in Tucson. The truck drove over Redington Pass to get to the east side,” daughter Sabrina Vining wrote on Facebook.
But their worst fears were confirmed on Christmas Eve when authorities tracked Clifford’s truck to a deserted stretch of road northeast of Tucson, about 14 miles from the family home.
There they discovered a gruesome scene: Clifford’s lifeless body lying next to his burned-out car, which was still smoldering.
The remote location was so difficult to access that officers called it ‘almost impossible’ to reach without specialist vehicles.
‘It’s very far, very remote and to get there you need a specific vehicle. I think you can get there with a two-wheeled vehicle, but it will be very slow,” said Deputy Adam Schoonover of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Paul Clifford, 53, was leaving from his home in Benson on the evening of December 23 when a man showed up at Clifford’s house claiming his car had broken down. He was found the next day
Authorities tracked Clifford’s truck to a deserted stretch of road northeast of Tucson, about 14 miles (23 kilometers) from the family home
Paul Clifford, 53, is said to be a loyal family man. He is pictured with his wife and two daughters, Sabrina and Samantha
‘It’s an isolated, rugged area. The circumstances under which he ended up there are very suspicious.’
Police appeared to become aware that something was wrong in the early hours of December 24, after officers responded to a report of ‘suspicious activity’ at around 1.20am.
But by the time they arrived, the scene was eerily empty, leaving more questions than answers.
One of Clifford’s two daughters, Sabrina, described her father as a “gentle giant” with a heart full of compassion.
‘We are devastated. He was the kind of man who would do anything for anyone, and this is how he was rewarded,” she wrote on a television page GoFundMe page to support her grieving family.
‘I am at a loss for my mother and am doing everything I can to support her through this unimaginable pain.
‘I do my best to help my mother with everything I can. Any help is appreciated and not expected. People have reached out and I want to make sure my mother is taken care of because that is what my father would have wanted,” Sabrina wrote.
‘It’s very far, very remote and to get there you need a specific vehicle. I think you can get there with a two-wheeled vehicle, but it will be very slow,” said Deputy Adam Schoonover of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Paul Clifford is depicted in a photo from his younger years
True to his generous nature, Clifford took a truck from his daughter and left around 11:30 PM – but as the hours passed without a word from him, his family became increasingly concerned.
Paul Clifford is pictured next to his wife Christina Clifford
Paul is seen alongside his wife Christine, daughters Sabrina and Samanatha and his young grandson
The identity of the mystery man who lured Clifford from his home remains unknown, and authorities have not revealed whether they believe the man played a role in Clifford’s death.
The investigation remains active, but no arrests have been made. Detectives are urging anyone with information to come forward as small details could be crucial in solving the case.
The Sheriff’s Department can be reached at 520-882-7463.