Denise Richards Accuses Estranged Husband Aaron Phypers of Domestic Violence, Granted Temporary Restraining Order

   

Denise Richards is making shocking new accusations against her ex Aaron Phypers.

In court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Richards, 54, requested a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Phypers, 49, sharing alleged details and photos accusing her ex of physical assault. 

Denise Richards Accuses Ex Aaron Phypers of Domestic Violence
Denise Richards shares images of alleged domestic violence from estranged husband Aaron Phypers in new court documents.

Superior Court of California; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

"Aaron would frequently violently choke me, violently squeeze my head with both hands, tightly squeeze my arms, violently slap me in my face and head, aggressively slam my head into the bathroom towel rack, threaten to kill me, hold me down with his knee on my back to the point where I would have to plead with him to get off me so that he would not kill me and hack into my laptop and phone and download all of my text messages," Richards alleged in the court documents. "Aaron regularly threatened to 'break my jaw' and would cry, beg me to stay, and promise to get help — none of which ever happened."

She also alleged, that her ex "has caused me at least three concussions." 

Denise Richards Accuses Ex Aaron Phypers of Domestic Violence
Denise Richards shares photo of alleged domestic abuse from estranged husband Aaron Phypers.

Superior Court of California

Richards said she has been "afraid" to report Phypers' alleged behavior to the police "because he has repeatedly threatened to kill himself and me if I reported him to the police, among his other threats of harm to me and himself if he is reported for his abuse to anyone."

She cited July 4-14 as the date of the most recent alleged assault, claiming that she asked Phypers and his family to move out of townhomes she had leased. In the documents, Richards alleged that on July 4, Phypers "got within two inches of my face" and "screamed degrading profanities" including calling her a "c--- w----" and a "piece of s---." Richards also alleged that the next day her ex made the same comments in the presence of his father, Steven Phypers.

 

Richards claimed that Steven also "began yelling at me" and threatened to tell the internet that she was a "w----."

The Bravo star alleged that later that same day Phyphers "grabbed both of my arms forcefully and pushed me and dragged me to the ground. I landed hard on the stairs causing me immense pain."

She also claimed that when she threatened to call the police on July 5, Phypers said, “I would like to see the cops take me away, I will blow everything up if they try.”

She alleged in the documents that “throughout our marriage, Aaron threatened to kill me and himself and the police.” She also claimed that Phypers “owns at least eight unregistered guns” and "multiple bullet proof vests."  

Richards also claimed that Phypers “threatened that I would ‘disappear’ if I called the police.” She said he “repeatedly abused” her throughout their marriage. The former couple tied the knot in 2018. 

Aaron Phypers, Denise Richards arrives at the Race To Erase MS 30th Anniversary Gala at Fairmont Century Plaza on June 02, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Denise Richards claims bruise on her arm at the 2023 came from estranged husband Aaron Phypers.

Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

She also accused her ex of going through her phone and laptop while she slept and putting her messages on his laptop. 

“Aaron woke me up and screamed at me: ‘You f------ bitch. I went into your computer and saw your text messages,” calling her a “lying bitch,” she alleged in court documents. Richards also alleged that Phypers “smashed” her with the palm of his hand on her head while she was using the toilet, “While screaming at me repeatedly, ‘Give me your f------ phone.” 

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She also claimed that Phypers refused to let her go on a trip without him, saying he “grabbed me by the back of my head by my hair and slammed me into the ground and screamed, ‘You are not cancelling my flight, I am going with you and I do not trust you.’ ”

Richards also requested the Phypers return her laptop as well as all pictures, recordings and cell phones, noting that she wanted him to be "prohibited from using, delivering, copying, printing or disclosing any text messages, emails, photos, notes or other content from my cell phone or laptop or any other electronic device."

Richards also requested that Phypers pay for her legal expenses as well as other expenses caused by the alleged abuse. She also requested that Phypers attend a 52-week batterer intervention program.

Aaron Phypers and Denise Richards attend the Tempted by Love Premiere Event Presented by Terry McMillan at IPIC Westwood on August 08, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Aaron Phypers and Denise Richards at the August 2024 premiere of 'Tempted by Love.'.

Leon Bennett/Getty

Phypers filed for divorce on Monday, July 7. He listed their date of separation as July 4 and cited “irreconcilable differences" as the reason for their split. 

Richards was granted a temporary restraining order from the Superior Court of California on Wednesday, July 16. She did not request a restraining order for her children. Richards is mom to Sami Sheen, 21, and Lola Sheen, 20, with her ex Charlie Sheen. She is also mom to her adopted daughter Eloise Richards, 14. Though Denise had previously claimed Phypers was looking into legally adopting Eloise, in the court documents, she stated they share "no minor children."