BERLIN -- German authorities say they found tens of thousands of euros in cash in the possessions of an 83-year-old woman who lived at a homeless shelter and died last week.

They are investigating whether she has a son in the U.S.

A spokesman for the Duesseldorf district court, Mihael Pohar, said Thursday the woman died a week ago. Officials found a bag containing 45,000 euros ($49,700) in 500-euro notes; another 930 euros in smaller bills; $6,648 and Moldovan currency worth $39.

Pohar said a social worker who dealt with the woman told authorities that she may have a son in the U.S., and a court-appointed administrator is now looking into that possibility as he tries to find any heirs. The woman is believed to have been a Moldovan citizen.