Oklahoma State Senate Candidate Found Dead
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an Oklahoma state Senate candidate. Barry Christian, 54, was reported missing after he didn’t attend a rally, and his body was discovered the next day.
Christian was seeking the Republican nomination for Oklahoma’s 38th Senate District and had produced a campaign video where he mentioned an endorsement from musician Kid Rock.
His body was located in his pickup truck on the roadside, approximately 20 minutes from his residence. He was last seen on Tuesday and began being reported as missing after not appearing at a scheduled meeting on Wednesday.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation noted that his Ram pickup truck was found in a wildlife management area near the tiny town of Eric, around 244 miles west of Oklahoma City. Eric, which has a population of about 1,000, is close to Christian’s home in Sayre, a town that has fewer than 5,000 residents.
Nearby, a sign promoting Christian’s campaign was discovered. According to a statement from his campaign, “the circumstances surrounding Mr. Christian’s death remain under investigation.” They also mentioned that further details are on hold until the family has been notified.
Christian began his campaign last year, releasing content that highlighted his goals and featured an apparent endorsement from Kid Rock, whom he claimed as a friend. However, some reports suggest that the video might have featured someone impersonating the musician.
NonDoc reported that before entering politics, Christian spent 35 years in the oil industry, serving as a drilling consultant and supervisor. He also portrayed himself as a seasoned entrepreneur with various business ventures in southwest Oklahoma.
His daughter, Brooklyn Christian, expressed that the family still lacks complete information about the circumstances of his death and asked others to treat her father’s legacy with respect. She didn’t mention any potential mental health struggles, though he appeared upbeat in campaign videos.
Currently, investigators are awaiting findings from the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office regarding the cause and manner of his death.
