Sayre, OK – The death of a Sayre man who was a candidate for the Oklahoma State Senate has been ruled a suicide, according to the Oklahoma Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Barry Christian, 54, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the medical examiner’s report released Tuesday, Aug. 11.

Christian was a candidate for Oklahoma Senate District 38 when he was reported missing April 28 after failing to appear for a scheduled meeting.

The Harmon County Sheriff’s Office and Beckham County Sheriff’s Office asked for the public’s help locating Christian on April 29. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation was also contacted by the Sayre Police Department regarding his disappearance.

Christian was found dead inside his pickup April 30 at the Sandy Sanders Wildlife Management Area near Erick in Beckham County.

Authorities said a Beckham County deputy was patrolling the area that morning when the deputy encountered a hunter who had seen a vehicle off a high ridge overlooking Fish Creek. The vehicle was identified as Christian’s pickup, and his body was discovered inside.

The medical examiner’s findings confirmed Christian’s death was self-inflicted. No additional information regarding the circumstances leading to his death was provided in the report.

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