Christina, Paul’s wife, told KVOA they were preparing for bed when they noticed a flashlight outside their window, followed by a request for assistance.
Despite Christina’s attempts to dissuade him, her 52-year-old husband went to investigate the disturbance.
Christina remembered, “I said, ‘no don’t go we can call somebody’, he said, ‘No nobody is coming to help them I need to help them’ and went out the door.”
Although she couldn’t see the person, Christina heard a man saying, “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’.”
Around 11.30pm, Paul left in his daughter’s truck to assist the stranger, but he did not return.
After family members reported him missing, Paul’s body was found next to a blazing car on a deserted road northeast of Tucson, 14 miles from his home, the following day.
The police did not disclose the cause of death when they found him.
Deputy Adam Schoonover of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department stated (via The Independent): “It’s very far, it’s very remote and to get out there it takes a specific vehicle. I think you can get there in a two wheel vehicle but it’s going to be very slow going.”
Sabrina Vining, who described herself as Paul’s daughter online, wrote in a GoFundMe fundraiser that her father was a ‘gentle giant with a huge, caring heart’.
It was announced yesterday that three individuals were arrested by police after authorities received tips regarding three potential suspects on Monday (December 30), as reported by NBC News.
Police identified two of the suspects as Jack Daryl Upchurch, 40, Elmer Glenn Smith, 19, and Wendy Scott, 16.
The outlet additionally reports that the Pima Regional SWAT team executed a search warrant at the residence, leading to a standoff as the suspects barricaded themselves inside and called 911 to negotiate a surrender.
The suspects ultimately exited the building and were taken into custody.
All three face charges of first-degree murder related to Paul’s death, along with additional charges like armed robbery and arson of an occupied structure.
According to 13 News, Scott is being charged as an adult, which is why she is named by police.
The sheriff’s department stated that they were booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Center on felony arrest warrants, though no motive or connection to Paul’s death was given.
Jail records list Upchurch’s bond at $1 million, Smith’s at $1.025 million, and Scott’s at $500,000.
Sabrina responded to the arrests on social media, posting on Facebook: “The detective called us last night at 9:00pm and told us they had suspects arrested and in custody!
“Thank you to the law enforcement officers that diligently worked my dad’s case.”