Denise Richards, the 54-year-old actress known for her roles in "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and "Wild Things," has filed a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, alleging repeated physical and verbal abuse throughout their six-year marriage. The Superior Court of California granted the order on July 16, 2025, following Richards' claims of violent behavior and threats from Phypers.
In court documents, Richards detailed several incidents of alleged abuse, including instances of choking, slapping, and threats to her life. She also accused Phypers of hacking into her personal devices to access private messages. Richards stated that she had been "afraid" to report the abuse earlier due to threats from Phypers to harm both himself and her if she contacted authorities. A photo included in the filing shows Richards with a black eye, which she attributes to Phypers' alleged actions.
Phypers, 52, has publicly denied the allegations, describing them as "completely false and deeply hurtful." He stated that he has "never physically or emotionally abused Denise—or anyone," and emphasized that any suggestion of abuse is categorically untrue. Phypers acknowledged that the couple faced marital challenges but insisted that he always approached their relationship with "love, patience, and respect."
The restraining order requires Phypers to stay at least 100 yards away from Richards, her residence, workplace, and vehicle. A court hearing is scheduled for August 2025 to determine whether a permanent restraining order will be issued. The couple married in 2018 and do not share any children together. Richards has two daughters from a previous marriage to actor Charlie Sheen and an adopted daughter, Eloise.
Richards' legal action follows Phypers' filing for divorce on July 7, 2025, citing "irreconcilable differences" and listing their date of separation as July 4. The divorce proceedings are ongoing, and both parties have yet to reach a settlement. The case has drawn significant media attention, highlighting the complexities of domestic violence allegations within high-profile relationships.