Content warning: This story includes descriptions of domestic abuse.
Denise Richards is taking more legal action amid her split from Aaron Phypers.
The Denise Richards and Her Wild Things star has been granted a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband after accusing him of physical abuse and threatening to kill her, according to documents obtained by NBC News, which also included photographic evidence of Denise with a black eye. He has denied her claims.
"Throughout our relationship,” Denise wrote in the court docs, per the outlet, “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”
The 54-year-old also went on to claim that in the instance when her black eye occurred, which took place at her estranged husband’s Malibu workplace, he became “paranoid,” that plants in the room “contained listening devices.” Amid his internal crisis, Denise alleged that he struck her in the eye with the heel of his palm and called her a “f--king b---h.”
Elsewhere in her filing, Denise included a red carpet photo in which a bruise can be seen on her arm and alleged it was inflicted upon her by her husband, noting she had forgotten to cover it up ahead of the event.
Denise also noted that Aaron’s abuse could be emotional, sharing an instance when she said he became physical because he did not trust her to go on a work trip alone.
“Aaron grabbed me by the back of my head by my hair,” she alleged in the court documents, “and slammed me into the ground and screamed, 'You are not cancelling my flight, I am going with you and I do not trust you.’”
Aaron has since denied the "completely false and deeply hurtful" allegations in a statement to People.
"I want to address recent rumors and speculation that have surfaced regarding my relationship with my wife," he said July 17. "Let me be unequivocally clear: I have never physically or emotionally abused Denise—or anyone."
"Denise and I, like many couples, have faced our share of challenges, but any suggestion of abuse is categorically untrue," he continued. "I have always tried to approach our marriage with love, patience, and respect."
Aaron then asked fans for privacy as they "navigate personal matters" and asked them to "refrain from spreading harmful and baseless claims."
Denise’s temporary restraining order will be valid until August 8, at which point the former couple will appear in court. The order requires that Aaron stay 100 yards away from Denise, her vehicles, her home and her place of work. Denise’s legal action comes less than two weeks after Aaron filed for divorce July 7, citing “irreconcilable differences,” following six years of marriage.
E! News has reached out to reps for Denise for comment.
(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
This story was updated on July 17, 2025, at 3:37 p.m. PT with Aaron Phypers' statement.