In a stunning revelation, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Denise Richards has come forward with harrowing allegations of verbal and physical abuse against her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers. On July 17, 2025, the 54-year-old actress filed for and was granted a temporary restraining order against Phypers, 52, after detailing a series of violent incidents that left her fearing for her life. Court documents obtained by TMZ and Us Weekly, coupled with shocking images of her alleged injuries—including a severely bruised eye and arm—paint a chilling picture of a marriage marred by aggression and intimidation.
Denise’s court filing lays bare a disturbing pattern of abuse that she claims began early in their relationship, which culminated in their 2018 marriage. According to the actress, Phypers’ behavior escalated over time, with incidents ranging from verbal degradation to physical assaults that resulted in at least three concussions. She alleges that Phypers frequently threatened her life, warning her that he would “blow everything up” if she ever involved the police. In one particularly alarming episode in 2022 at his now-closed business, Denise claims Phypers struck her in the eye with his palm after becoming paranoid about “listening devices” hidden in potted plants, calling her a “fcking btch” in a fit of rage.
Denise Richards has been granted a temporary domestic violence restraining order against her estranged husband Aaron Phypers after accusing him of physical and verbal abuse #RHOBH 💎 pic.twitter.com/kysXGDPOD1
— Dorinda Deadly (@dorindadeadly) July 17, 2025
The abuse wasn’t confined to a single moment. Denise recounts a 2023 incident where Phypers violently 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.” In another encounter, he allegedly stormed into her office, squeezed her arm tightly, and aggressively confronted her when she refused to hand over her phone. Red carpet photos from that year show Denise with visible bruises on her arm, a silent testament to the trauma she endured.
One of the most recent incidents occurred on July 4, 2025, when Phypers’ aggression reached a boiling point. Denise alleges that he berated her with degrading profanities, calling her a “cnt whre” and a “piece of sh*t” while knocking her hat off her head. Later that day, he reportedly chased her, grabbed her arms, and dragged her to the ground, causing her to land painfully on stairs. During this altercation, Phypers allegedly stole her laptop and accessed private messages without her consent, further violating her privacy. “Aaron threatened that I would ‘disappear’ if I called the police,” Denise wrote in her filing, underscoring the fear that has haunted her.
Denise also accuses Phypers of invasive and controlling behavior, including hacking into her laptop and phone to download private text messages. On May 21, 2025, while she was asleep, Phypers allegedly accessed her iCloud account, synced her iMessages to her laptop, and photographed her private texts, later confronting her with insults like “lying b*tch.” In a disturbing violation, Denise claims that while she was using the bathroom, Phypers smashed her on the head with his hand, demanding her phone while screaming profanities.
Adding to her distress, Denise revealed that Phypers admitted to placing recording devices in her hotel rooms and townhouses to monitor her. She also noted his possession of at least eight guns, amplifying her fear for her safety. “Aaron has caused me at least three concussions,” she stated, detailing a litany of violent acts including choking, squeezing her head, slapping her face, and holding her down with his knee on her back until she pleaded for her life.
In a bid to reclaim her safety, Denise moved out of their shared home in 2023 and into three townhouses, where she is the sole leaseholder. Despite her clear instructions for Phypers to stay away starting July 4, 2025, he has allegedly continued to enter her properties uninvited, heightening her sense of vulnerability. “I am in constant fear for my safety,” Denise wrote, emphasizing the urgency of her request for protection.
The court responded swiftly, granting Denise a temporary restraining order that requires Phypers to stay 100 yards away from her, her home, her workplace, and her vehicle. This order will remain in effect until August 8, 2025, when the couple is scheduled to appear in court to address the allegations further.
Denise’s filing also reveals a cycle of empty promises from Phypers, who would reportedly cry and beg her to stay after violent outbursts, vowing to seek help that never materialized. “Aaron regularly threatened to ‘break my jaw’ and would promise to get help—none of which ever happened,” she stated. Her decision to come forward with these allegations marks a courageous step toward breaking free from the fear and control that have defined her marriage.
As Denise Richards prepares for her day in court, her story serves as a stark reminder of the hidden struggles that can lurk behind the glamour of Hollywood. With photographic evidence and a detailed account of abuse, the RHOBH star is standing her ground, demanding justice and safety in the face of unimaginable hardship.