Denise Richards has accused her estranged husband of domestic violence, including threats against her life.
The Wild Things star, 54, accused Aaron Phypers, 52, of physical abuse during their relationship, including violent attacks and threats.
Richards was said to be blindsided by the divorce filing, which came from Phypers, just days after the couple marked their seventh wedding anniversary.
Though they tied the knot in 2018 after a whirlwind romance, sources now say the relationship is unraveling fast - with both parties allegedly trying to hurt each other.
In documents obtained by TMZ, Richards outlined a pattern of alleged abuse that included being choked, slapped, and having her head slammed into objects.
“Throughout our relationship, 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,” Richards reportedly stated in the court filings.
Richards, who also starred in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, recalled one particularly violent alleged incident in 2022 at Phypers’ workplace in Malibu, California.
She alleged that he became paranoid about the plants he had purchased, claiming they “contained listening devices.” It was during this episode, she said, that he lashed out physically and verbally.
According to Richards, Phypers called her a “f**king bitch” and struck her in the eye with the palm of his hand, leaving her bruised.
Another troubling episode detailed in the filings occurred when Richards suggested Phypers not join her on a work trip. She claimed that this led to a violent outburst.
“Aaron grabbed me by the back of my head by my hair 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,’” she claimed.
The court has since issued a restraining order, requiring Phypers to stay at least 100 yards away from Richards, her home, and her vehicle.
The actress, also a mother of three, has not commented publicly beyond the court filings, and Phypers has not yet responded to the allegations.
Phypers cited "irreconcilable differences" in the paperwork and listed July 4 as the official date of separation.
According to TMZ, who reviewed the documents, Phypers is asking for spousal support and claims he currently has no income of his own.
He also reportedly stated that Richards earns over $250,000 a month through OnlyFans, TV projects, brand endorsements, and public appearances.
The two are said to have lived a lavish lifestyle together, with Phypers estimating their monthly expenses total $105,000. That includes $20,000 on clothing and $15,000 on dining out.
And now, sources say Richards isn’t taking the financial demands lightly. One insider told MailOnline: "Aaron wanted to hurt her and he has. Meanwhile, the last thing he wants is to be broke – so she's cutting off his cash flow."
The source added that "the last thing she wanted was another divorce, so he gave her a divorce."