The father of Bryan Kohberger victim Xana Kernodle revealed Wednesday that he almost went to her University Idaho home on the night she was murdered – and it still haunts him that he did not.

Jeff Kernodle was near Moscow the night of the murders, and said he wanted to check in on his daughter when she told him she was feeling sick.

“I was seven miles away when it happened,” the grieving father said during his victim impact statement at Kohberger’s sentencing in Boise Wednesday. “I almost went over to Xana’s to stay.”

Jeff Kernodle, father of victim Xana Kernodle, speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse. AP

One of Kohberger’s victims, Xana Kernodle. Xana Kernodle

“I would have been sitting right there on that couch. And you would have had to deal with me. So they would have had a chance,” he told Kohberger.

Jeff said the only reason he decided against going was because he’d had a few drinks and had promised Xana just a week before that he’d never drink and drive.

“I regret that. I regret not going. But the reason why I didn’t was Xana said ‘Don’t be drinking and driving.’ She would have been mad at me,” the father said.

“But I really wish I would have drunk and drove. Because they would have had a chance, all four of them,” he concluded, fighting back tears.

Cara Northington, mother of victim Xana Kernodle wipes a tear at the hearing. AP

Jeff was just one of numerous friends and family members of Kohberger’s victims – 20-year-old Kernodle, her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, and Madison Mogen, 21 – who gave crushing statements during the hearing Wednesday.

But despite the tears that flowed and the stories of love and laughter lost, Kohberger remained completely unmoved and emotionless throughout the four-hour hearing.

The only words he spoke were to refuse his opportunity to address the court and explain his actions, saying “I respectfully decline” when asked if he had anything to say.

Kohberger was then sentenced to four consecutive life terms in prison without the possibility of parole.

That sentence came from a controversial plea deal he struck earlier in July, which allowed him to avoid death by firing squad if he was found guilty in trial – and also meant he wouldn’t have to explain his actions.

Prosecutors told the court they decided to accept a plea deal because Kohberger legal action leading up to the trial indicated he would spend “decades” dragging the case back to court if given the opportunity.

They also suggested there was no reason to believe anything Kohberger could say would be the truth.