The bitter divorce between actress Denise Richards, 54, and her estranged husband Aaron Phypers, 52, has entered yet another explosive chapter with allegations that Richards shoved and screamed at Phypers’ elderly mother during an unannounced visit to his home. The incident came just days after Richards was granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Phypers, claiming he had subjected her to years of emotional and physical abuse — allegations Phypers vehemently denies.
According to those present, Richards showed up at Phypers’ Calabasas residence without warning on a quiet Sunday afternoon. She allegedly pounded on the back door, demanding to be let inside. Phypers’ parents, who were at home at the time, opened the door — only to be confronted by an angry and agitated Richards. One witness claims she barged in, shouting that they needed to leave the house, pointing her finger in his mother’s face and yelling. As tensions escalated, Richards is accused of shoving the older woman aside to move deeper into the house.
The family says Phypers’ mother was left shaken and terrified by the encounter. They allege she sustained visible bruising on her arm, which they immediately photographed as evidence. According to Phypers’ legal team, these images may be presented in court during the upcoming restraining order hearing.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that deputies responded to a disturbance call and arrived at the scene. Officers interviewed both sides but ultimately determined there was no clear criminal offense at that time and made no arrests. However, legal experts note that photographs of bruising, combined with sworn witness statements, could still be used in a civil or criminal case later.
Richards, for her part, tells a very different story. Her attorney, Brett Berman, insists the actress did not violate the restraining order and only entered the home once she was certain Phypers was not present, with the sole purpose of retrieving her dog. He further claimed that Richards had recently learned Phypers had euthanized one of her other dogs without her knowledge or consent — something that left her deeply distressed. Richards flatly denies any physical altercation with her former mother‑in‑law, calling the accusations “fabricated distractions” meant to shift attention away from her abuse claims against Phypers.
Meanwhile, Phypers’ representative Terry Ahern blasted Richards’ actions as “willfully intentional in the destruction of what is left of a family” and accused her of using the TRO as both a legal weapon and a PR stunt. He also revived claims that Richards had carried on a months‑long affair with former Special Forces soldier Rudy Reyes — an allegation Richards has yet to publicly address.
The restraining order hearing is set to take place in the coming weeks. Phypers’ side hopes the alleged incident involving his mother will be enough to have the order thrown out entirely, while Richards is expected to argue that her visit has been mischaracterized and was solely about recovering personal property. Observers say the case has devolved into a full‑blown Hollywood legal circus, with overlapping allegations of abuse, infidelity, disputes over pets, and now — claims of elder abuse.
Public opinion remains sharply divided on social media, with hashtags #TeamDenise and #TeamAaron trending as fans and critics dissect every twist. But one thing is clear: this broken marriage has now escalated into a high‑stakes legal and PR battle whose ending no one can predict.
