Denise Richards her split from Aaron Phypers took an especially ugly turn when his father got involved — and she's laying it all out in shocking detail.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum filed a restraining order request against her estranged husband on July 16, accusing him of years of physical and emotional abuse.
The move came just days after Phypers, 51, - who has denied her claims - filed for divorce, citing July 4 as their official date of separation and requesting spousal support from Richards, 54.
But according to Denise, that same day marked a harrowing confrontation that left her fearing for her life.
In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Denise said she moved out of their shared home in late 2023 due to mounting marital issues and relocated to a studio townhouse, where she told Phypers he was no longer welcome — a boundary she claims he repeatedly violated.
'On July 4, 2025, while Aaron was at the studio townhouse that I was occupying at the time, I told Aaron that his family had to move out of the family home,' Denise stated. 'Aaron became enraged. Over the course of nearly two hours, he got within two inches of my face and screamed degrading profanities, including calling me a ‘c*** w****' and a 'piece of s***,"' Denise stated in her Request for Domestic Violence Retraining Order.
Denise Richards her split from Aaron Phypers took an especially ugly turn when his dad got involved — and she's laying it all out in shocking detail; (seen in 2022)
Denise claimed Aaron's father Steven Phypers joined in the July 4 blowup — yelling that he would tell the media she was a ‘whore’ and expose the contents of her phone; (Aaron's mom, Aaron, and Steve Phypers pictured)
She said he also 'repeatedly grabbed my left arm tightly in an aggressive manner,' and that despite her pleas for him to leave, he would calm down for a moment, only to explode again.
'I was recovering from a sensitive surgery. Aaron’s actions were scaring me to the point that... I was afraid that Aaron may kill me.'
Denise, who is 5’4”, noted that Aaron stands at 6’2” and weighs over 200 pounds.
At one point during the July 4 encounter, she said, ‘I repeatedly threatened to call the police, and Aaron screamed, “Fine, f***ing call the cops. They will never be able to do anything to me and I will kill everyone if they try.”’
Later that night — around 2:00 a.m. on July 5 — Denise said Phypers broke into a second townhouse across the alley and demanded her phone.
‘He squeezed my arm extremely tight and aggressively demanded I give him his phone. I grabbed my phone and told him I was calling 911. He said, “I would like to see the cops take me away, I will blow everything up if they try.”’
Denise said he finally left when she was about to hit the call button, but not before yelling, ‘You are going to disappear.’
The alleged threats continued that same day, when Denise claims Aaron returned with his father and once again screamed in her face.
At one point during the July 4 encounter, she said, ‘I repeatedly threatened to call the police, and Aaron screamed, “Fine, f***ing call the cops. They will never be able to do anything to me and I will kill everyone if they try.” (Denise submitted several photos as evidence — pictures from a red carpet event (above), where she claimed she forgot to conceal marks allegedly left by Aaron)
The actress added that throughout their marriage, Aaron would often threaten suicide, both verbally and over text.; (photo from Richards' Request for Domestic Violence Retraining Order)
‘He called me a “c*** w****” multiple times and violently hit the bill of my hat with the back of his hand, causing it to fly off my head,’ she said.
She added that she was ‘scared, terrified and fearful for my life.’
Later that evening, while Denise was in the garage of the studio townhouse, she said she saw Aaron again.
‘I immediately became fearful… Aaron told me to “get the f*** out of here” and to give him my phone.
'I ran up the stairs. He chased me, grabbed both of my arms, and dragged me to the ground. I landed hard on the stairs causing me immense pain.'
Denise also accused Aaron of threatening to hack her phone and iCloud and leak personal information online.
She said his father, Steven Phypers, joined in — yelling that he would tell the media she was a ‘whore’ and expose the contents of her phone.
She said Aaron then ran off with her laptop, purse (which contained her ID and credit cards), and passport.
‘There are many more examples of these text messages that I will need more time to find and will bring to the hearing in this matter,’ she concluded; ((photo from Richards' Request for Domestic Violence Retraining Order)
‘I followed Aaron out to his car but could not catch him. I went to my daughter’s house for safety because I could not go to a hotel — Aaron had my purse with all forms of payment.’
The actress added that throughout their marriage, Aaron would often threaten suicide, both verbally and over text.
‘There are many more examples of these text messages that I will need more time to find and will bring to the hearing in this matter,’ she concluded.
On Thursday, Phypers responded to DailyMail.com's request for comment, saying, 'I want to address recent rumors and speculation that have surfaced regarding my relationship with my wife, Denise Richards.
'Let me be unequivocally clear: I have never physically or emotionally abused Denise — or anyone.
'These accusations are completely false and deeply hurtful. Denise and I, like many couples, have faced our share of challenges, but any suggestion of abuse is categorically untrue.
'I have always tried to approach our marriage with love, patience, and respect. I ask for privacy as we navigate personal matters, and I hope that the public and media will refrain from spreading harmful and baseless claims.'
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