Romanian investigators say that seven paintings stolen from Rotterdam’s Kunsthal museum last year may have been burned by a defendant's mother. The estimated $130 million haul of artwork has been missing since last fall.

Traces of paint and nails were found in ash in a stove at the home of the mother of suspect Radu Doragu. She says she burnt the paintings to "destroy any evidence."

The paint and nail remains are now being analyzed in a laboratory, according to a Nos television report. Forensic results may be available next week.