US3 min(s) read
Published 09:14 01 May 2026 GMT
A Republican candidate for Oklahoma’s State Senate has been found dead just a day after he was reported missing.
Barry Christian, 54, who was running for State Senate District 38, was discovered on Thursday (April 30) after failing to attend a scheduled meeting the day before, local station News 9 reported.
His campaign confirmed the news in a press release, adding that the case is now under investigation as authorities work to find out exactly what happened.
Christian, a drilling consultant from Sayre, had been one of three Republican candidates competing for the District 38 seat.
According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the candidate's pickup truck was located in rural Beckham County near Erick.
Further details revealed that the vehicle, identified as his Ram truck, had been discovered just off Highway 30, near a ravine by the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area, south of Erick.
Police confirmed his body was found inside the vehicle, two days after he was last seen.
Despite the discovery, officials have not yet clarified the cause of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Christian’s daughter, Brooklyn, shared an emotional message as the family continues to process the loss.
"Please pray for our family and friends. Our world is upside down right now. We are still not sure of everything that happened, so please act with grace and treat my dad's legacy with dignity," she said, per KOCO.
She added: "We are extremely grateful to everyone who assisted in the search efforts, and all of the media outlets that shared his information. I know there will be lots of people devastated by his passing."
A second daughter, Christian's youngest, remembered him as wanting "nothing more than to provide and protect his family. He lived only for his kids. He loved his kid with everything in him," cited by PEOPLE.
Just days before he was reported missing, Christian had been seen at the Mangum Rattlesnake Derby, where he met with locals and promoted his campaign.
He also remained active online, sharing updates and encouraging community involvement.
"Join us for a spirited community gathering at the Mangum Oklahoma Rattlesnake Festival, where neighbors, families, and local supporters come together to celebrate wildlife, culture, and the enduring spirit of District 38," he wrote on Facebook last Saturday (April 25).
"Our State Senate candidate for District 38 invites you to a friendly meet-and-greet to discuss issues that matter most to our community. Wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation to rural economy and public safety," he added.
In another Facebook post, Christian outlined his motivations for running.
"The challenges we face in Oklahoma aren’t Republican or Democrat - they’re challenges of education, workforce, public safety, agriculture, and the ability for families to build a future here at home.
"These are everyday issues that require real solutions and real commitment. I’m running because I believe in the values that built towns like ours - faith, respect, honesty, and responsibility," he added.
His campaign has now been abruptly cut short as police continue to investigate his death.
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