Authorities in the US say the body of an Oklahoma Senate candidate who had been reported missing has been found inside a truck.
Barry Christian, a Republican running for the District 38 seat in western Oklahoma ahead of this year’s midterm elections, disappeared earlier this week.
In a news release shared with KOCO, his campaign said his body was discovered on Thursday (April 30), two days after he was last seen.
Investigators said Christian was found inside his Ram truck after the vehicle was located just off Highway 30.
Officials added that the truck was discovered near a ravine by the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area, south of Erick, Oklahoma.
Details about what led to Christian’s death have not been confirmed, and authorities say the investigation is ongoing as they work to provide clarity for his family.
Christian’s daughter, Brooklyn, spoke to KOCO and asked for compassion as the family processes the news.
She said: “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.”
In the days before he went missing, Christian had been out on the campaign trail, including an appearance at the Mangum Rattlesnake Derby. He had also continued posting campaign updates on social media.
In a Facebook post last month, Christian wrote about the issues he said were impacting communities across the state.
He said: “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.”