Denise Richards Accuses Ex-Husband Aaron Faiyaz of Years of Severe Abuse and Threats

Actress Denise Richards has detailed severe allegations of domestic abuse and deception against her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, following the filing of divorce documents. Speaking openly about the breakdown of their marriage, Richards stated that Phypers became a completely different person after they wed, transforming a long-term friendship into an abusive relationship that left her fearing for her life.

The marriage, which began with an intimate ceremony in Malibu, California, in September 2018 after less than a year of dating, ultimately spanned a little over six years following more than eight total years together. According to court documents and public interviews, Phypers filed for divorce on July 7, citing July 4 as the date of separation and requesting spousal support, attorney fees, and personal items. In response, Richards sought a restraining order, detailing an escalating pattern of physical, emotional, verbal, and financial abuse throughout the marriage.

“I was obviously in an abusive marriage. At first it wasn’t physical… It was everything, physical, emotional, financial,” Richards recounted during an appearance on Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast, as reported by RadarOnline.com. She added that Phypers was entirely different from the man she thought she had married.

Escalating Abuse and Fear of Weapons

Court filings and public statements reveal a slow, corrosive progression in the relationship. Richards explained that Phypers appeared to change after obtaining a green card following their wedding. What began as verbal aggression eventually crossed into physical violence, with Richards recalling the profound shock of the first incident.

According to court documentation obtained by outlets including People and reported by Lifestyle.bg, the abuse involved severe physical assaults, including being choked, having her head forcefully grabbed and struck against a bathroom towel rack, and suffering at least three concussions. Richards stated that she feared reporting the behavior to law enforcement because Phypers allegedly possessed at least eight unregistered firearms and several body armor vests, while repeatedly threatening to kill her, himself, and police officers.

“For us, it became normal for him to hit me, push me to the ground, or threaten me with something. That almost became my everyday life,” Richards shared, noting that she felt deeply broken and isolated at the time.

Financial Control and the Breaking Point

Reflecting on financial vulnerability, Richards described allowing Phypers to handle aspects of her finances and adding him as an authorized signer on a bank account as one of her biggest mistakes. She stated that he manipulated her into believing they were building a shared future while gradually exerting control.

The final breaking point occurred when Richards was recovering from surgery. According to her statements, Phypers assaulted her while she was in the hospital. “When he did that to me in that moment, while I was so vulnerable, I realized he was going to kill me,” she stated. Richards subsequently demanded that Phypers attend anger management therapy and that his family—who had moved from Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic—vacate the homes she rented. She ultimately moved out with her daughters while Phypers remained in the residence.

Divorce Proceedings and Next Steps

Phypers filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences in July 2025, a move Richards learned about publicly after undergoing a facelift procedure. Following the filing, Richards stated that Phypers contacted her demanding $100,000 per month in spousal support.

As legal proceedings continue, the court is expected to review the request for a restraining order and address the division of assets, spousal support claims, and attorney fees. Readers seeking support or information regarding domestic violence can access resources through official channels such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

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