Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers: Divorce Drama Escalates with Domestic Disturbance Call
Calabasas, Calif. — The contentious divorce proceedings between actress Denise Richards, 54, and Aaron Phypers, 52, took another dramatic turn this past Sunday, August 3, 2025, when sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call at Phypers’ residence in Calabasas. The incident unfolded amidst allegations of a temporary restraining order violation, a disputed claim of dog euthanasia, and Phypers’ expressed fears for his parents’ safety.
At approximately 4:40 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, deputies from the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the Calabasas home Phypers shares with his parents and brother. While authorities arrived quickly on the scene, their initial assessment concluded that “they did not have any evidence that a crime occurred” at the property.
According to Brett Berman, Richards’ attorney, the actress visited the residence with a specific purpose: “to retrieve her dogs after learning that Mr. Phypers had put down one of her other dogs without her knowledge or permission.” This grave accusation, however, was swiftly and vehemently denied by Phypers and a source close to him. “100 percent, absolutely false,” stated the source, who further alleged that Richards was “screaming and banging on the door” in an attempt to gain entry. Phypers, upon hearing her, reportedly exited the home through a side door.
Dispatch audio obtained by PEOPLE revealed Phypers’ distressed call to emergency services, where he claimed he “fears for his parents” in the midst of the confrontation. In a statement to PEOPLE, Phypers categorically dismissed the allegations: “Absolutely false, not true on both accusations. Denise’s attorney has consistently struck out in pursuit of the truth. There is a difference between telling the truth and trying to protect your client.” He further asserted, “Having the title of attorney or being a celebrity does not put you above the law. It does not give you the right to humiliate others for the sake of your interests. Both of these actions have been readily apparent here in the last couple of weeks.”
This latest incident is set against the backdrop of a bitter divorce battle that commenced on July 7, 2025, when Phypers filed for dissolution of their six-year marriage. Just nine days later, on July 16, 2025, Richards was granted a temporary restraining order against Phypers, citing allegations of domestic violence during their relationship and submitting photographic evidence, including images showing her with a black eye. Phypers has consistently denied these accusations, stating, “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.”
The legal complexities deepened on July 29, 2025, when Richards’ attorney, Berman, accused Phypers of violating the temporary restraining order. Berman alleged that Phypers had “disseminated private information from Ms. Richards’ cell phone and laptop, which he stole.” These allegations stemmed from interviews Phypers gave post-divorce filing, where he claimed Richards had an affair and had physically abused him – claims Berman labeled as “false.” Phypers, in turn, sharply countered this accusation, telling PEOPLE, “Nothing was stolen, and nothing is missing — except, perhaps, Ms. Richards’ moral compass.”
As the divorce proceedings continue to unfold, both parties remain entrenched in a highly public and litigious dispute, with conflicting narratives dominating the public discourse.
- If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
