Barry Christian, a Republican candidate for Oklahoma State Senate District 38, was reported missing after failing to appear for a scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 28. Police soon recovered Christian’s vehicle and confirmed that he was tragically found dead.
Christian, 54, of Sayre, Oklahoma, had last known contact that day and was believed to be driving a charcoal gray 2024 Ram pickup truck. Authorities from the Harmon County Sheriff’s Office and Beckham County Sheriff’s Office issued a public appeal late Wednesday night and issued a physical description, which described him as approximately 6 feet tall, 230 pounds, with blue eyes and gray hair.
The public was asked to contact the Sayre Police Department with any available information.
On Thursday, April 30, a vehicle matching the description of Christian’s truck was located on the side of the road in a rural area south of Erick in Beckham County, near Highway 30 in the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area, according to a report from local outlet KOCO. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) crime scene technicians responded to the scene to process the vehicle.
Later that day, Christian was found dead inside the truck. No cause of death has been determined, and the circumstances remain under investigation as of this report.
Photo: Barry Christian via Facebook
“At this time, the circumstances surrounding Mr. Christian’s death remain under investigation. Authorities have not yet released additional details pending notification of all family members and further examination,” a spokesperson for Christian’s campaign said in a statement Thursday.
Christian’s daughter, Brooklyn, also issued a statement after her father was found dead. “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. 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,” she said.
Christian had been active in his campaign in the days leading up to his disappearance. He appeared at the Mangum Rattlesnake Derby on Saturday, April 26 and had recently posted on campaign social media accounts.
A longtime veteran of the petroleum industry, Christian had announced his candidacy last year after incumbent Senator Brent Howard announced that he would not be seeking a third term in the state’s 38th Senate District. Christian’s announcement video featured an endorsement from pro-Trump musician Kid Rock, with whom he enjoyed a personal friendship.
Christian is survived by his three children and three grandchildren.
