Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's surviving dogs Bear and Nikita—who helped authorities find the couple's bodies after their deaths—have been "placed in appropriate homes," according to an estate rep.

Hackman, who was dressed in gray sweatpants and a blue long-sleeved t-shirt, was found dead in the mudroom. A pair of sunglasses and a walking cane were found nearby. An officer at the scene suspected that Hackman had “suddenly fallen,” according to a search warrant affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.