A candidate for State Senate has been found dead, his campaign said in a news release. >> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning NewsletterBarry Christian, a candidate for Senate District 38, disappeared on Tuesday. He was found dead on Thursday, according to a news release from his campaign. Investigators on scene near Erick, OklahomaThe Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed Thursday afternoon that investigators were on the scene near Highway 30, just south of the town of Erick. OSBI confirmed to KOCO that a truck matching the one belonging to Christian was found in that same area on Thursday. >> Video Below: Investigators on scene where truck found in case of missing Oklahoma Senate candidateChristian was believed to be driving a 2024 charcoal gray Ram truck when he disappeared.WATCH: OSBI officials give update after pickup belonging to missing political candidate Barry Christian foundOklahoma State Bureau of Investigation officials on Thursday night confirmed that they had positively identified the body found in a pickup at the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area as Barry Christian.OSBI officials said they were contacted by the Sayre Police Department about the disappearance of Christian, who was last seen in Sayre on Tuesday, according to a news release.Officials said that Christian’s pickup was located about 9:45 a.m. Thursday in the wildlife area, just south of Erick. Agents at the scene located Christian’s body inside the pickup and his body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, who will determine the cause and manner of his death, officials said.Considered an ongoing investigation, OSBI officials are asking anyone with any information regarding Christian’s death to call the OSBI tip line at 800-522-8017 or by email at tips@osbi.ok.gov. When was he first reported missing?He was reported missing after he failed to show up for a scheduled meeting on Tuesday.The Harmon County Sheriff’s Office and the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office asked the public for help finding Christian late Wednesday night.>> Video Below: Law enforcement officials search for a missing Oklahoma State Senate candidateLaw enforcement released a picture of Christian and his truck. They also released a description of him, saying he is about 6 feet and weighs 230 pounds. He has blue eyes and gray hair.Statement from the familyHis daughter, Brooklyn, sent the news release to KOCO. “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,” said his daughter, Brooklyn. “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.”Who is Barry Christian?Christian was a 54-year-old Republican candidate for Senate District 38 from Sayre.According to social media, Christian made an appearance at the Mangum Rattlesnake Derby to campaign for the State Senate seat on Saturday, just days before he went missing.>> Video Below: Truck matching description of missing State Senate candidate found in Beckham CountyEarlier this month, Christian took to social media several times to discuss his campaign.”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 said in a Facebook post.Christian has spent his career as a drilling consultant, according to his LinkedIn profile.Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sayre Police Department at 580-928-2122.
A candidate for State Senate has been found dead, his campaign said in a news release.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning Newsletter
Barry Christian, a candidate for Senate District 38, disappeared on Tuesday. He was found dead on Thursday, according to a news release from his campaign.
Investigators on scene near Erick, Oklahoma
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed Thursday afternoon that investigators were on the scene near Highway 30, just south of the town of Erick. OSBI confirmed to KOCO that a truck matching the one belonging to Christian was found in that same area on Thursday.
>> Video Below: Investigators on scene where truck found in case of missing Oklahoma Senate candidate
Christian was believed to be driving a 2024 charcoal gray Ram truck when he disappeared.
WATCH: OSBI officials give update after pickup belonging to missing political candidate Barry Christian found
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation officials on Thursday night confirmed that they had positively identified the body found in a pickup at the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area as Barry Christian.
OSBI officials said they were contacted by the Sayre Police Department about the disappearance of Christian, who was last seen in Sayre on Tuesday, according to a news release.
Officials said that Christian’s pickup was located about 9:45 a.m. Thursday in the wildlife area, just south of Erick.
Agents at the scene located Christian’s body inside the pickup and his body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, who will determine the cause and manner of his death, officials said.
Considered an ongoing investigation, OSBI officials are asking anyone with any information regarding Christian’s death to call the OSBI tip line at 800-522-8017 or by email at tips@osbi.ok.gov.
When was he first reported missing?
He was reported missing after he failed to show up for a scheduled meeting on Tuesday.
The Harmon County Sheriff’s Office and the Beckham County Sheriff’s Office asked the public for help finding Christian late Wednesday night.
>> Video Below: Law enforcement officials search for a missing Oklahoma State Senate candidate
Law enforcement released a picture of Christian and his truck. They also released a description of him, saying he is about 6 feet and weighs 230 pounds. He has blue eyes and gray hair.
Statement from the family
His daughter, Brooklyn, sent the news release to KOCO.
“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,” said his daughter, Brooklyn. “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.”
Who is Barry Christian?
Christian was a 54-year-old Republican candidate for Senate District 38 from Sayre.
According to social media, Christian made an appearance at the Mangum Rattlesnake Derby to campaign for the State Senate seat on Saturday, just days before he went missing.
>> Video Below: Truck matching description of missing State Senate candidate found in Beckham County
Earlier this month, Christian took to social media several times to discuss his campaign.
“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 said in a Facebook post.
Christian has spent his career as a drilling consultant, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sayre Police Department at 580-928-2122.