Oklahoma State Senate candidate Barry Christian, 54, has been found dead two days after he was reported missing, local authorities confirmed.
Christian’s body was discovered inside his vehicle at the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area, around 9:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, April 30.
Details of the Disappearance and Discovery
Christian, who was running for the District 38 seat in the Oklahoma State Senate, was last seen in Sayre, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, April 28.
Authorities said the Sayre Police Department (SPD) received a missing persons report the following day after Christian failed to show up to a scheduled meeting.
His vehicle, a 2024 gray Ram pickup truck, was located in the remote wildlife area by police in Beckham County on Thursday morning.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) took over the case at the request of the Sayre Police Department and confirmed that the body found inside the vehicle was positively identified as Barry Christian.
His remains were subsequently sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of death.
Family’s Response and Tributes
Christian’s children have expressed their heartbreak and called for prayers as they try to make sense of their loss.
In a statement, his daughter Brooklyn Christian asked for grace and dignity as her family navigates this difficult time. “Please pray for our family and friends,” she said. “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 also thanked the first responders who had assisted in the search for her father and expressed gratitude to the media for sharing his story. “I know there will be lots of people devastated by his passing,” she concluded.
Christian’s youngest daughter fondly remembered him, saying he “lived only for his kids” and “loved his kids with everything in him.” The family’s loss has resonated deeply with their community, as Christian was not only a candidate but also a devoted father.
Political Community Responds
Christian was one of three candidates running for the Republican nomination in the District 38 race for the Oklahoma State Senate.
His passing has drawn condolences from fellow political figures, including Joe Buchanan, one of his opponents in the race.
Buchanan posted on Facebook, expressing his sorrow over Christian’s death and offering condolences to the family. “Carol and I are devastated to hear about Barry Christian’s passing.
We are keeping his family and friends in our prayers, and hope our community can come together after this horrible tragedy,” he wrote.
Ongoing Investigation
While the investigation into Christian’s death is ongoing, the cause of his death has not been determined. Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the case to contact the OSBI tip line at 1-800-522-8017 or via email at [email protected].
