
In a troubling development that has rocked Hollywood, actress and reality TV star Denise Richards has obtained a temporary domestic violence restraining order against her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, following a series of disturbing allegations of physical and verbal abuse.
Court documents filed on Wednesday—reviewed by our team—detail an alarming pattern of alleged violence that Richards says took place throughout their relationship. Among the claims: Aaron choked her violently, slammed her head into fixtures, and repeatedly struck her—including an alleged 2022 incident in Malibu that left her with a bruised and swollen eye.

According to Richards, that attack occurred after Aaron became paranoid about potential surveillance, believing potted plants in his workplace were hiding listening devices. She alleges he then struck her in the eye with the heel of his palm, all while shouting profanities.

Photos attached to the filing, including images from red carpet appearances, reveal visible bruising on her arms, which Richards claims were a result of previous assaults by Phypers—marks she says she forgot to cover up.
In one chilling moment, Richards says she feared for her life. When she asked him not to accompany her on a work trip, she alleges he grabbed her by the hair, slammed her to the ground, and screamed:
“You are not cancelling my flight. I am going with you, and I do not trust you.”
Another alleged incident—dated July 4 and 5—involved Phypers demanding her phone, squeezing her arm tightly, and threatening to “blow everything up” if police intervened. Notably, July 4 is also the date Phypers cited as their official separation date in his recent divorce filing.

Richards also expressed concern to the court over Phypers’ alleged possession of at least eight unregistered firearms, adding to her fear for her safety.
The restraining order, which currently stands until August 8, mandates that Aaron must remain at least 100 yards away from Denise, her home, her work, and her vehicle. A court hearing will determine whether the protective order is extended or made permanent.
The couple—who wed in 2018—appeared stable until recently, with Richards once vowing she’d never divorce again. However, this marks her second high-profile split, following her tumultuous marriage to Charlie Sheen. Phypers was previously married to actress Nicollette Sheridan.
The situation is still developing, and both parties are expected to appear in court next month.