Arizona man found dead near to smoldering vehicle

An Arizona good Samaritan was found dead near a smoldering vehicle on Christmas Eve near a dirt road, authorities said.

Pima County deputies responded around 1:20 a.m. to a report of suspicious activity near 14000 N. San Pedro River Road, Fox Phoenix reported.

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Paul Clifford, 53, was found dead near a smoldering vehicle in Arizona on Christmas Eve. (GoFundMe)

“While en route to the scene of the incident, deputies discovered information that led them to believe the incident was potentially related to a stolen vehicle,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said.

Investigators believe the suspect went to Paul Clifford’s home and asked for help with car trouble. His family reported him missing when they did not hear from him.

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Pima County Sheriff’s Department photo. (Credit: Pima County Sheriff’s Department) (Pima County Sheriff’s Department)

Clifford, 53, was later found dead near a smoldering vehicle on a bumpy dirt road, the news outlet reported.

“It’s very far. It’s very remote and it takes a special vehicle to get there. I think you can get there in a regular two-wheel drive, but it’s going to be very slow,” Deputy Adam Schoonover said.

Fox News Digital reached out sheriff’s office and Clifford’s family. An online fundraiser described Clifford as a “gentle giant who had a huge, caring heart”.

He was said to have left his home to help a stranded motorist when he did not return.

Image of Pima County Adult Detention Center. (Credit: Pima County Sheriff’s Department) ((Credit: Pima County Sheriff’s Department))

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“My dad went missing at 11:30 last night, he took my truck to jump start someone’s vehicle. We followed the truck and the police found him in Tucson,” Sabrinna Vining wrote on Facebook in a post that her father had been killed.

No arrests.