Denise Richards’ estranged husband gives new explanation for her black eye as divorce turns messy

She has claimed he beat and choked her but DailyMail.com can reveal that not all is as it seems – with sources saying the black eye seen on Denise Richards in a shocking photo included in her latest explosive court filing was actually the result of a drunken fall.

Richards, 54, is currently in the middle of a bitter divorce battle with husband Aaron Phypers, 49, after he filed to end their marriage citing irreconcilable differences.

On Wednesday, the former actress asked a Los Angeles judge for a restraining order – claiming her estranged spouse had routinely been violent towards her during their marriage and had blacked her eye after becoming paranoid about listening devices concealed in potted plants.

Now a source close to Phypers has hit back, insisting that he has never raised a hand to her and dismissing the allegations as lies.

The insider said: ‘This is consistent with the ongoing untruthfulness of Denise Richards who is trying to hide her alcohol problem.

‘That photo was taken in winter 2022 and the fact is, she was drunk at the time and fell coming up the steps to Aaron’s clinic Q360.

Denise Richards has fiercely accused her estranged husband Aaron Phypers of abuse during their eight-year marriage, filing for a restraining order after he initiated divorce proceedings 

In her application, Richards included a photo of herself with a black eye, claiming it was from a 2022 incident when Phypers allegedly struck her during a paranoid episode about listening devices hidden in the plants outside their home 

The restraining order was filed on Wednesday, and while both parties agree on the timeline of the incident that led to her black eye, a source close to Phypers claims the injury wasn’t the result of abuse, but rather from Richards drunkenly falling up the stairs

‘She fell and caught the corner of her eye on the stairs and then came up to the office where they treated her and put ice on it.

‘There were lots of people in the office at the time, all of whom saw what happened. Aaron has never touched her and never would.’

Richards has previously spoken about her addiction battle and, in 2023, sparked concern when she appeared to slur her words during an episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Richards for comment. 

Phypers also issued his own statement denouncing his estranged wife’s recent allegations, 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.

The source said Richards was on her way up to Phypers’ now-shuttered clinic, Q360 Club in Malibu (pictured in 2020), when she drunkenly fell – catching her eye on the corner of the stairs – and that multiple witnesses saw the aftermath of them immediately icing the injury when she arrived at the office 

But contrary to Phypers’ account, Richards offers a starkly different version of events, alleging he became paranoid that their potted plants were bugged and, after a police officer approached the door in response to screams, he struck her in the eye with the heel of his palm 

During the alleged assault, Richards claimed her estranged husband called her a “f*****g b***h and that the incident was witnessed by a family member

‘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.’

 While Richards’ account agrees on the location, it gives a very different version of what happened with the actress writing: ‘On the evening of January 17, 2022, at approximately 730pm, an incident occurred at Aaron’s workplace in Malibu, after hours.

‘A female family member was present. Aaron brought several potted plants into the center and became paranoid that they contained listening devices,’ Richards wrote.

‘A police officer, who was in the parking lot (where officers often stop to complete paperwork or use the restrooms), approached the door after hearing the yelling. 

‘After the officer left, Aaron resumed screaming, then used the heel of his palm to strike me in the eye while calling me a ‘f****** bitch.’

‘The family member present witnessed the assault and immediately retrieved frozen food to reduce the swelling. A true and correct copy of a picture of my black eye is attached hereto as Exhibit ‘3’.’

The filing is the latest twist in a divorce battle that exploded two weeks ago when Phypers filed to end his marriage – blindsiding Richards who had said publicly that she never wanted to go through a divorce again.

He filed for divorce two weeks ago and, along with the petition, requested $105,000 a month in spousal support, claiming his income has been “zero” since his clinic closed in October 2024 

According to a list detailing his extravagant spending habits, Phypers (left) shells out a staggering $20,000 a month on clothing alone

Along with the filing, he asked for spousal support totaling $105,000-a-month and said his income was ‘zero’ following the closure of his clinic last October.

As a result, the 52-year-old relies on his wife’s income which he claimed in court was $250,000-a-month, most of it earned via OnlyFans and her now canceled reality show Denise Richards & Her Wild Things.

According to a list laying out his spending habits, his outgoings include splurging on $20,000-a-month on clothes.

Other items on his list included $18,000 on rent, $5,000 on repairs, $7,000 on childcare, $10,000 on groceries, $15,000 on eating out, $8,000 on utilities, $500 on his cell phone, $5,000 on laundry and $15,000 on entertainment.

He also claimed to spend $1,500 on auto expenses and asked to be awarded all his power tools and a 2018 motorcycle in the divorce.

On Wednesday, Richards responded with a request for a restraining order and claimed that Phypers was physically abusive to her.

Other items on his list included $18,000 on rent, $5,000 on repairs, $7,000 on childcare, $10,000 on groceries, $15,000 on eating out, $8,000 on utilities, $500 on his cell phone, $5,000 on laundry and $15,000 on entertainment

He claimed in court that her income was $250,000 a month, mostly earned through OnlyFans and her now-canceled reality show Denise Richards & Her Wild Things

She also gave an explosive account of the July 4 bust up that put the final nail in the coffin of their marriage, writing: ‘Aaron repeatedly got within two inches of my face and screamed at me degrading profanities, including calling me a ‘c*** w****’ and a ‘piece of s***.’

The following day, she alleged, ‘Aaron came into her townhouse with his father and ‘got within inches of my face and began yelling at me, calling me a ‘c*** w****’ multiple times and with his right hand violently hit the bill of my hat with the back of his hand which caused my hat to fall off my head.’

Richards added that ‘Aaron repeatedly grabbed my left arm tightly.’

‘Later that day, Aaron chased me and grabbed both of my arms forcefully and pushed me and dragged me to the ground,’ she said. ‘I landed on the stairs, causing immense pain. Aaron stole my laptop and sent private messages he had stolen from my laptop without my permission.’ 

She added, ‘Aaron threatened that I would ‘disappear’ if I called the police.’

Richards admitted to facing challenges in her marriage earlier this year during an episode of her reality show Denise Richards and Her Wild Things.

The reality show, which focused on her life with Phypers and her three children – Sami, 21, Lola, 20, and her adopted daughter Eloise, 14 – was canceled in July 2025

Richards was previously married to wild child actor Charlie Sheen who she divorced in April 2006 while pregnant with their second child Sami

The mom-of-three said in a March episode of the E! reality show: ‘It’s not easy being married to me, but this is it, I’m done.

‘I’m never getting divorced again. Even if we hate each other, I’m not gonna f****** get divorced.’

For his part, Phypers chimed in that they might even live in separate houses, but insisted, ‘We’re not gonna hate each other.’

Richards was previously married to wild child actor Charlie Sheen who she divorced in April 2006 while pregnant with their second child Sami.

Along with divorce papers, she also slapped Sheen, 59, with a restraining order banning him from coming any closer than 300ft from his ex-wife and daughters.

In 2010, she was awarded sole legal custody of their children with sources citing ‘marital turmoil, sobriety issues, and criminal problems’ for the decision.

The latter refers to Sheen’s arrest on Christmas Day 2009 for assaulting his third wife Brooke Mueller in an Aspen, Colorado, property during a festive break.

Sheen was later convicted of misdemeanor assault and slapped with 30 days in rehab, 30 days of probation, and 36 hours of anger management.

Richards moved on with her life and adopted a third daughter Eloise in June 2011 and started dating Phypers in December 2017 before marrying him less than a year later in September 2018.

The marriage got off to a rocky start when it was revealed the pair had begun dating before Phypers’ divorce from Desperate Housewives actress Nicolette Sheridan was finalized.

Phypers later adopted Richards’ daughter Eloise.