Denise Richards Alleges Estranged Husband “Threatened to Kill” Her, Granted Temporary Restraining Order
Denise Richards has accused her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, of domestic abuse and death threats, among more allegations.
Richards was granted a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Phypers on Wednesday and shared details of the physical assault and photos, according to People.
“Aaron would frequently violently choke me, violently squeeze my head with both hands, tightly squeeze my arms, violently slap me in my face and head, aggressively slam my head into the bathroom towel rack, threaten to kill me, hold me down with his knee on my back to the point where I would have to plead with him to get off me so that he would not kill me and hack into my laptop and phone and download all of my text messages,” Richards alleges in her report. “Aaron regularly threatened to ‘break my jaw’ and would cry, beg me to stay and promise to get help — none of which ever happened.”
The Wild Things actress also claims that “throughout our marriage, Aaron threatened to kill me and himself and the police,” and that he “owns at least eight unregistered guns.”
The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Richards’ rep for comment.
Following six years of marriage, Phypers filed for divorce from Richards on July 7 citing irreconcilable differences. A few days later, it was reported that Richards’ Bravo series, Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, would not return for another season.
Richards said she was hesitant to come forward with what she went through due to his threats. “He has repeatedly threatened to kill himself and me if I reported him to the police, among his other threats of harm to me and himself if he is reported for his abuse to anyone,” she said in the court documents obtained by People. She added that he “threatened that I would ‘disappear’ if I called the police” and “repeatedly abused” her throughout their marriage.
On July 4, she claimed Phypers was “within two inches of my face” and “screamed degrading profanities.” He also “grabbed both of my arms forcefully and pushed me and dragged me to the ground. I landed hard on the stairs causing me immense pain.”
After the news of Richards’ allegations broke, Phypers shared a statement with People, which reads: “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.”
A court hearing for the restraining order is scheduled for Aug. 8.
