**Denise Richards Accuses Ex Aaron Phypers of Abuse, Secures Temporary Restraining Order Amid Divorce**
In a shocking turn of events, actress Denise Richards has filed for a temporary restraining order against her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, accusing him of physical and verbal abuse. The documents, submitted to the court on Wednesday, provide a harrowing account of the alleged abuse and have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry.
Richards, 45, claims that Phypers subjected her to years of emotional and physical torment during their marriage, which ended in a messy divorce just weeks ago. According to the documents, Phypers would frequently choke Richards, squeeze her head with both hands, violently slap her in the face and head, and even threaten to kill her.
"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, threaten to kill me, hold me down with his knee on my back to the point where I would have to plead with him to get off me so that he would not kill me and hack into my laptop and phone and download all of my text messages," Richards alleged in the court documents.
The Wild Things star also claimed that Phypers regularly threatened to "break her jaw" and would cry, beg her to stay, and promise to get help – none of which ever happened. Richards further alleged that she has "repeatedly abused" her throughout their marriage and "has caused me at least three concussions."
One of the most striking aspects of the allegations is the graphic nature of the injuries Richards suffered during the abuse. Two of the photos submitted as evidence show Richards's badly bruised and swollen eye, a testament to the severity of Phypers' actions.
Phypers, 52, vehemently denied the accusations, telling TMZ that the claims are "not true" and that Richards is "creating a story to save her image." He claimed to have all the details and alleged that Richards was "conjuring up a story" to harm his reputation.
The bombshell allegations come weeks after Phypers filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. In the documents, Phypers requested spousal support and the return of his power tools, claiming that Richards' monthly income is $250,000 while he has made zero dollars during the last year after his business shuttered.
The couple, who began dating in June 2017 and tied the knot during a September 2018 ceremony documented on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, share no children. However, Phypers listed Richards's youngest daughter, Eloise, 14, as his stepdaughter. Richards adopted Eloise immediately after her birth in May 2011.
The allegations have sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with many taking to social media to express their support for Richards and condemnation of Phypers' actions. The national domestic abuse helpline offers support for women on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Refuge website. There is also a dedicated men's advice line on 0808 8010 327.
For those in the US, you can call the domestic violence hotline on 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org.
**Support for Victims of Domestic Abuse**
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, there are resources available to help. The Independent has listed some national and international helplines below:
* National Domestic Abuse Helpline (UK): 0808 2000 247 * Refuge: www.refuge.org.uk * Men's Advice Line (UK): 0808 8010 327 * US Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) * International Helplines: www.befrienders.org