Denise Richards Secures Restraining Order Against Husband Aaron Phypers, Citing Physical and Verbal Abuse Allegations

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Denise Richards is accusing her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, of physical abuse throughout their marriage — and now, she’s taken legal action to protect herself. Life & Style can confirm that Richards, 54, filed a restraining order against Phypers, 52, on July 16, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly.

Richards claims the abuse was not isolated but rather an ongoing pattern throughout their relationship. “Throughout our relationship, 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,” she alleged in her court filing.

According to Richards, Phypers’ behavior oscillated between violent outbursts and emotional manipulation. “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 said.

The actress, who has starred in hits like Wild Things and Drop Dead Gorgeous, also accused Phypers of causing her multiple concussions and invading her privacy by planting recording devices and stealing private data. “Aaron has caused me at least three concussions,” she alleged. “Aaron has told me that he has left recording devices to record me while I was alone in hotel rooms and at my townhouses.”

A particularly volatile incident allegedly occurred on July 4. Richards told the court that Phypers “repeatedly got within two inches of my face and screamed at me degrading profanities, including calling me a ‘c*** whore’ and a ‘piece of s***.’” She said things escalated the next day when he “violently hit the bill of my hat with the back of his hand,” causing it to fall off.

“Later that day, Aaron chased me and grabbed both of my arms forcefully and pushed me and dragged me to the ground,” she continued. “I landed on the stairs, causing immense pain. Aaron stole my laptop and sent private messages he had stolen from my laptop without my permission.” Perhaps the most chilling detail of all: Richards claimed Phypers warned her she would “disappear” if she involved the authorities.

Another alleged incident from May 21 paints a picture of further surveillance and control. Richards said she awoke to Phypers screaming after he accessed her synced iMessages on her laptop without her knowledge. “I clicked sync iMessage so that your text messages would appear on your laptop and everything downloaded and I took photo of everything you lying bitch,” he allegedly said.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 08: (L-R) 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. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for A+E Networks)

Even a moment of privacy in the bathroom wasn’t spared. “While I was on the toilet peeing, Aaron smashed me on the top of my head with the palm of his hand while screaming at me, ‘Give me your f***ing phone,’” Richards recounted.

Richards is asking the court to order Phypers to stay at least 100 yards away from her and to return her laptops and any data taken from her devices. The court has granted her a temporary restraining order until a formal hearing later this month.

While Richards’ claims are detailed and graphic, Phypers has denied the accusations. When reached by Us Weekly, he responded, “Not true. Conjured up. I have the real evidence.”

Phypers filed for divorce on July 7, just days before Richards submitted her petition, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.