Andrew Koppel Knew Drinking Pal Before Day Of Death

A grieving Ted Koppel has been in touch with Commissioner Ray Kelly regarding the recent death of the newsman's son.

Andrew Koppel, 40, was found dead in a Washington Heights apartment following a day-long bender. The official cause of death remains unknown as toxicology tests have yet to be completed.

Kelly reportedly went over the details of the investigation with Koppel in recent days as new information emerged that Andrew's drinking buddy, who had originally claimed to have just met him that day, admitted that they had known each over for over a month.

Russell Kimberly told the Daily News that Koppel was drinking whiskey, and that when he met up with him, "he was already trashed, and it was early afternoon."

Writes the News:

"He was falling over - a mess," Wimberly said. "He drank over 10 drinks that night. He lost his phone in the cab, and I kept trying to call it."

Koppel passed out in a spare bedroom as Caban braided Wimberly's hair. When Wimberly tried to wake him four hours later, Koppel was dead.

Andrew was Koppel's only son.