It began with a knock at the door in the dead of night, then a stranger’s voice pleading for help.
Paul Clifford, 53, a father-of-two, lived in a remote Arizona community where receiving late-night visitors was rare, making his family instantly fearful when it happened.
But Clifford was a kind man, so when the man at the door said he’d broken down and needed a jump-start, the Good Samaritan didn’t hesitate to act.
Christina, his wife of 30 years, recounted in an interview with KVOA, “I said, ‘no, don’t go, we can call somebody.’ He replied, ‘no, nobody is coming to help them. I need to help them,’ and headed out the door.”
That night turned out to be the last time she saw her husband alive. Shortly after, Clifford’s lifeless body was found next to a burned-out truck in the desert.
Police say the culprit includes the person that Clifford set out to help, in a horrific twist akin to the 2008 horror movie The Strangers, where a band of killers targeted helpless victims simply because ‘they were home’.
‘I feel so empty. We planned to grow old together, live into our 90s, and die of old age,’ Christina said.
The couple were getting ready for bed on December 23, when a flashlight shone through their window.
Paul Clifford, 53, was killed by a stranger who appeared at the Clifford’s home claiming his car had broken down. Pictured: Clifford alongside his wife, Christine, daughters Sabrina and Samantha together with his young grandson
Next, they heard a call at the door and Clifford went to investigate. Christina couldn’t see who was there, but could hear a man talking.
‘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”,’ she said.
Clifford immediately set out in his daughter Sabrina Vining’s truck, but as the hours ticked by his family became concerned.
It was only after checking the vehicle’s GPS tracker that the alarm bells truly began sounding. The location showed the truck was in an unknown location where Clifford would never normally travel to.
Christina called 911, but it took Pima County officers more than two hours to respond.
By the time they arrived on Christmas Eve, Clifford was dead. His body was found next to a different burning vehicle just a mile from his Benson home.
Sabrina’s car was eventually traced to an apartment complex in Tucson.
Within days, law enforcement had identified three suspects who were eventually apprehended following a tense SWAT standoff.
The doting grandfather was at home with his wife when they received a caller at the door on December 23
True to his generous nature, Clifford took one of his daughter’s truck and left around 11:30pm – but as the hours passed by with no word from him, his family grew increasingly concerned
Paul Clifford is pictured in a photo from his younger years
Jack Daryl Upchurch, 40, Elmer Glenn Smith, 19, and 16-year-old Wendy Scott were taken into custody on Monday.
The suspects barricaded themselves into the residence, resulting in the standoff but eventually called 911 to negotiate a surrender. Police say they were arrested without incident.
‘That was the first happiness any of us have felt,’ Sabrina said.
‘The first breath,’ Christina added.
All three suspects were charged with first-degree murder in connection to Clifford’s death, as well as a slew of other charges included armed robbery and arson of an occupied structure.
Upchurch and Smith are each being held on a $1 million bond, while Scott’s bond was set at $500,000.
‘I need these people prosecuted to the full extent of the law, I don’t care what their ages are they were all adults and made this decision to do this to my husband,’ Christina said.
His lifeless body was found next to a different burnt out truck in a remote area just a mile from his home
Jack Daryl Upchurch, 40, (left) Elmer Glenn Smith, 19, (center) and 16-year-old Wendy Scott (right) were taken into custody Monday night following a SWAT standoff. All three have been charged with first-degree murder, as well as a slew of other charges included armed robbery and arson of an occupied structure
Authorities tracked Clifford’s truck to a desolate stretch of road northeast of Tucson, some 14 miles away from the family home
Sabrina meanwhile wants to see more done to tackle response times in the area.
‘We would like to be contacted by Sheriff Nanos and come up with some sort of a plan,’ she said.
As the family struggle to come to terms with their nightmare, they have been left with the heartbreaking task of explaining to Clifford’s grandson William, 3, where his ‘Popsy’ has gone.
‘Every night when he’s going to sleep she [Christina] gives him two kisses, one from her and one from “Popsy”,’ Sabrina said.
‘And then we tell him that “popsy’s” in our heart, and then he looks at us and goes “popsy’s” in your heart, “popsy’s” in my heart.’
The senseless brutality has been hard for almost everyone to understand, except Upchurch’s sister and Smith’s aunty Amanda Williams.
‘I am so sorry to this man’s family,’ she said. ‘I could never imagine my own brother doing this but it’s not surprising either. Words can not even begin to apologize to this family.’
The suspects are due to appear in court again on January 10.
