John Jefferson
Inset: Paul Clifford (GoFundMe). Background: The area where Paul Clifford was found dead by a “smoldering vehicle” near Redington Pass in Pima County, Arizona (KSAZ/YouTube).
A good Samaritan from Arizona who had “a huge, caring heart” was found dead on Christmas Eve — 14 miles from his house on a rugged dirt road — after being lured away by a stranger who claimed to have car trouble, police and family say.
“He was murdered,” Sabrina Vining, daughter of victim Paul Clifford, wrote in a Facebook post this week after her father’s body was discovered Tuesday in the area of Redington Pass Road and San Pedro River Road in Pima County near Tucson. “He took my truck to go jump start someone’s vehicle.”
Police believe Clifford, 53, was killed sometime after 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday after he agreed to help out a “stranger” who came to his door, alleging he had car trouble. It’s unclear how Clifford died, with cops only revealing that it was a homicide.
“Preliminary findings indicate that the victim was approached at his residence by a male subject who claimed to be experiencing car trouble and requested assistance,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department reported in a press release. “When the victim did not return home, concerned family members contacted law enforcement.”
Vining wrote on Facebook that police “tracked” her truck to Redington Pass after Clifford’s family reported him missing. “Tragically, the victim of this incident was later found deceased near a smoldering vehicle,” the sheriff’s department said.
A GoFundMe page launched by Clifford’s family describes him as a “gentle giant” who enjoyed helping and caring for others. “I am at a loss for my mom and doing everything in my power to support her at this time,” Vining explains in the description.
Authorities believe Clifford’s murder was “potentially related to a stolen vehicle,” according to the PCSD press release. It’s unclear whether the car that was found “smoldering” was Vining’s truck.
“On December 24, 2024, at approximately 1:20 a.m., deputies from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Vail District, responded to a report of suspicious activity in the vicinity of 14000 North San Pedro River Road,” the sheriff’s department said. “While en route to the incident location, deputies discovered information which led them to believe the incident was potentially related to a stolen vehicle. Deputies began efforts to locate all parties involved. … Deputies subsequently located the stolen vehicle at an apartment complex near Prince Road and Roger Road.”
Police are asking anyone with information on Clifford’s death to contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department as the investigation remains active. No information has been released on possible suspects or motives.
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