The divorce battle between Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers has taken a dramatic turn, with Phypers publicly denyingher allegations of domestic violence and accusing the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum of being the aggressor in their relationship.

In July 2025, Richards, 54, obtained a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband, citing “frequent” and “aggressive” physical violence as well as “degrading” verbal abuse. The order also included requests for spousal support and that Phypers participate in a batterer intervention program.

A judge granted the temporary protective order, allowing Richards to stay in her home and restricting Phypers from contacting her. According to Richards’ legal team, she intends to address the allegations in court and has declined to publicly respond to her estranged husband’s latest claims.

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On Monday, Phypers, 53, filed a formal response denying all claims of abuse. In court documents obtained by Page Six, he checked the box to indicate that he does not agree to the requested protective order.

“There is no need for such orders, as I have not abused her and will not abuse her,” Phypers wrote. He further alleged that Richards frequently contacts him – sometimes multiple times a day and even asks family and friends to reach out on her behalf, claiming this demonstrates that she is “the aggressive one.”

Screenshots of call logs included in his filing reportedly show Richards called him nine times on August 21 and six times on September 2. Phypers also stated that he discovered an AirTag tracker on his vehicle on July 6, which Richards allegedly admitted to placing there.

He went on to describe Richards’ controversial visit to their Calabasas, California home on August 3. 

“She barged aggressively and forcefully into other family members’ living spaces, including my brother’s room. Denise violently smashed my cell phone, placed it in a trash can buried under bags of trash, and then lied about taking it,” he alleged.

Phypers dismissed Richards’ request for spousal support, calling it a “ridiculous … way to harass” him, and suggested her domestic violence claims were a tactic to prevent him from obtaining financial support. He also addressed her request for the return of private photos, stating he was the primary photographer for her OnlyFans content and retains the copyrights for the professional images he took.

@povhub2u2 Denise Richards ex husband shows how the celebrity left their 3.5 million dollar home... #deniserichards #hollywood #hollywooddrama #news #fyp ♬ original sound - POVhub

Phypers recently gave a tour of their Calabasas home, claiming Richards left the property abandoned and in a state of “total disarray.” He described the house as cluttered, with stained rugs, moth-infested vintage clothes, and trash scattered throughout.

Fans were quick to push back on social media, noting that Richards allowed Phypers and his family to live in the home and that California eviction laws can complicate such situations. One fan on Instagram wrote, “She can’t evict him because of California’s crazy laws, and then he turns around and tries to make her look bad. What does that say about him?”

Richards was recently permitted by a judge to return to the home to retrieve her belongings and her 15 dogs without violating the restraining order.

The ongoing dispute has divided fans, many of whom are struggling to discern fact from speculation. Some remain supportive of Richards, citing her history of being open about personal struggles and the serious nature of her abuse claims.

However, others point to her recent aggressive actions as reasons for doubt. Many believe the legal battle may be fueled by financial motives, given Phypers’ current unemployment and reliance on Richards’ income.

The court has yet to rule on the validity of either party’s claims, and filings remain allegations. Evidence such as medical records, messages, property documentation, and financial disclosures will likely be central to the case. As this high-profile split continues to play out, fans and the public are watching closely. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.