A candidate for state senate in Oklahoma was found dead just days after he was reported missing when he failed to show up for a meeting. Barry Christian, 54, was in the race to be the Republican candidate in Oklahoma Senate District 38 and had even received an endorsement from musician Kid Rock.
Christian was last seen on Tuesday and reported missing after failing to turn up for a scheduled meeting Wednesday. On Thursday afternoon, his pickup truck was discovered after it crashed into a ravine in the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area. The truck was on the side of the road near the town of Erick, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations. Erick is about 20 minutes away from Christian's residence in Sayre, NonDoc reported.
The vehicle was a 2024 charcoal gray Dodge Ram truck. A sign promoting Christian's campaign was found nearby. Shortly after, Christian's body was recovered inside. No cause of death has been given yet.
Because of the crash and where the vehicle was located, Christian's body has yet to be removed from inside of the truck. 'At this time, the circumstances surrounding Mr. Christian's death remain under investigation,' a campaign statement said. 'Authorities have not yet released additional details pending notification of all family members and further examination.'
'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,' Christian's daughter Brooklyn told KOCO in a statement. '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.'
His last public event was the Mangum Rattlesnake Derby which he had used as a campaign stop. Christian's LinkedIn profile said prior to his entrance into state politics, he had worked as a drilling consultant with a long history in Oklahoma's oil and gas industry. He and Kid Rock had shared a friendship, which led to the rock star contributing to a campaign video for Christian.
Christian's campaign website appears to be down in the wake of his death. Brooklyn Christian added that her father 'wanted nothing more than to provide and protect his family. He lived only for his kids. He loved his kid with everything in him.'
Law enforcement is still investigating and anyone with information is asked to contact the Sayre Police Department. The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office will confirm the identity of the deceased and their cause of death.
