A Republican Oklahoma state Senate candidate who went missing earlier this week has been found dead.
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Barry Christian, 54, was discovered inside a truck in a rural area on Thursday.
Christian had been running for District 38 in western Oklahoma and had gone missing two days earlier.
Republican Found Dead After Disappearance in Oklahoma
Authorities first raised concerns after Christian failed to attend a scheduled meeting on Wednesday, according to News 9.
Investigators said they last saw him on Tuesday in Sayre.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation later located his 2024 charcoal gray Ram truck off Highway 30, south of Erick.
Officials discovered a body inside the vehicle.
The truck's position near a ravine delayed recovery efforts, preventing authorities from immediately removing and identifying the body.
"A large campaign sign for Christian, however, was photographed eerily tossed onto the prairie land as authorities scoured the area," the New York Post's Zoe Hussain wrote.
"The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear."
Family Speaks Out as Investigation Continues
According to the Harmon County Sheriff's Office, Christian was last seen driving his truck.
His daughter, Brooklyn, shared an emotional message following the discovery.
"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," Brooklyn said in a statement.
"We're extremely grateful for 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."
"[He] wanted nothing more than to provide and protect his family. He lived only for his kids; he loved his kids with everything in him."
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding Christian's death, with more details expected in the coming days.
Officials transported his body to the Medical Examiner's Office, where authorities will determine the cause of death.
Christian last posted on Facebook on Saturday, inviting residents to attend a meet-and-greet at the Mangum Oklahoma Rattlesnake Festival.
In the post, he encouraged community members to attend and discuss "issues that matter most to our community".
