Authorities are awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death for Barry Christian, a 54-year-old Republican candidate for Oklahoma State Senate District 38, whose body was found inside his pickup truck on Thursday.

Christian, a Sayre resident, was last seen on Tuesday in Sayre after campaigning at the Mangum Rattlesnake Derby over the weekend. He failed to show up for a scheduled meeting that day, prompting family and friends to report him missing on Wednesday night. The Harmon County Sheriff's Office and Beckham County Sheriff's Office sought public help, describing him as 6 feet tall, 230 pounds, with blue eyes and gray hair, last seen driving a 2024 charcoal gray Ram pickup truck.

Thursday morning, a Beckham County deputy patrolling the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area spotted the truck crashed off a high ridge overlooking Fish Creek, near Highway 30 south of Erick. A hunter had earlier noticed the vehicle near a ravine. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation took over, confirming Christian's body inside the truck that evening. The body was transported to the medical examiner's office.

The OSBI is leading the multi-agency investigation and has not released a cause or manner of death. A campaign sign for Christian was found nearby. Investigators urge tips to OSBI at 800-522-8017 or tips@osbi.ok.gov.

Christian launched his campaign last year, positioning himself as a conservative choice who would "proudly stand with President Trump" and address issues like education, workforce development, public safety, agriculture, and family futures in western Oklahoma. A drilling consultant with 35 years in the petroleum industry, he owned businesses in the region.

His daughter, Brooklyn Christian, shared a statement Friday: "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. 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." His youngest daughter added he "wanted nothing more than to provide and protect his family" and "lived only for his kids."

Christian's campaign released a statement: "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."

District 38 covers rural western Oklahoma counties, including Beckham and Harmon. Christian was in the Republican primary scheduled for June.