A candidate for Oklahoma’s state senate was found dead last week in his truck in a wildlife management area about 25 miles from where he was last seen.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said Barry Christian’s body was found just before 10 a.m. on Thursday in the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area south of Erick.
The OSBI said that Christian, 54, was last seen alive on Tuesday in Sayre. His body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for cause and manner of death.
According to KOKI, Christian was reported missing when he failed to show for a scheduled meeting on Wednesday. Investigators have declined so far to provide details about Christian’s death except to say his truck was found crashed into a ravine. KOCO reported that a hunter spotted the truck in the ravine.
Christian’s daughter provided a statement asking for prayers.
“We are still not sure of everything that happened, so please act with grace and treat my dad’s legacy with dignity,” the daughter, Brooklyn, said. “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.”
Christian was a divorced dad with five children who worked as a drilling consultant. He was one of three Republicans running for the party’s nomination in the state’s 38th Senate District.
Featured image: KOCO screenshot. Inset: Barry Christian/Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation]
