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Denise Richards broke her silence on her brutal marriage to Aaron Phypers during her explosive RHOBH Season 15 return. The actress revealed shocking allegations of physical abuse, including instances where she claimed Phypers struck her while she was physically vulnerable post-surgery. The candid confession, shared with Erika Jayne and Sutton Stracke, sparked compassion from costars as she navigates her painful divorce journey.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Divorce filing: July 2025 after six years of marriage to Aaron Phypers
- Restraining order: Five-year permanent restraining order granted in November 2025
- Allegations: Multiple incidents of alleged physical abuse during post-surgery recovery
- RHOBH return: Season 15, Episode 10, aired February 19, 2026 with detailed testimony
The Turning Point: Denise’s Breaking Point Moment
Denise Richards disclosed the exact moment she knew her marriage was over during RHOBH Season 15. While recovering from a surgical procedure and unable to walk independently, she claimed Aaron Phypers attempted to grab her phone while she sat on the toilet. According to her account, he hit her on the side of her head, causing her to cry. “That’s when I really knew there was no hope at ever salvaging this marriage,” she stated to Erika and Sutton with visible emotion. This incident, combined with another alleged attack during her facelift recovery in July, led her to file for divorce and obtain a restraining order.
The Wild Things actress emphasized this was not a one-time occurrence, revealing a pattern of alleged violence throughout their relationship. She detailed multiple claims of physical incidents spanning from 2017 to 2022, all of which she brought to court proceedings.
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The Legal Battle: Restraining Order and Criminal Charges
In July 2025, Richards was granted a temporary restraining order after accusing Phypers of domestic violence, death threats, and possession of unregistered weapons. By November 2025, the court issued a permanent five-year restraining order against the actor. Phypers was arrested in October 2025 at a Los Angeles courthouse following the restraining order hearing on charges related to spousal abuse allegations from incidents in 2017 and 2022.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Aaron Phypers has consistently denied all allegations. In a statement shown during the RHOBH episode, he claimed accusations of physical or emotional abuse were “completely false and deeply hurtful.” The court, however, determined sufficient cause to grant extended protective measures.
What RHOBH Cast Members Are Saying Now
The Real Housewives cast rallied around Richards during After Show discussions filmed in January 2026. Erika Jayne praised Denise’s bravery, saying she was “very brave” for sharing her story on cameras. Erika revealed she texted Richards immediately when news of the divorce broke, becoming the second person to reach out after Charlie Sheen. Kathy Hilton shared that Richards spent the holidays at her home and described her as “just very sensitive, but strong.” The actress was visibly affected and undergoing an extremely challenging period, according to Kathy‘s account of their recent interaction.
| Key Information | Details |
| Marriage start date | 2018 |
| Divorce filing date | July 7, 2025 |
| Restraining order status | Permanent (5 years), November 2025 |
| RHOBH appearance | Season 15, guest capacity |
Erika Jayne’s Support and Shared Pain
Erika demonstrated genuine support for Richards during their conversation, revealing a personal understanding of abusive relationships. The singer admitted she recently experienced a similar isolating and lonely feeling with a romantic partner. “When I saw all of this go down, I wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you,” Erika told her castmate. Denise expressed appreciation for the support, acknowledging she felt “alone” during the ordeal.
“I knew there was no hope at ever, ever salvaging this marriage at all.”
— Denise Richards, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
What’s Next for Denise Richards in 2026 and Beyond?
Denise Richards continues navigating the demanding divorce proceedings while maintaining her presence on RHOBH Season 15. The former full-time housewife rejoined the cast in a guest capacity, allowing her to share her experience without the pressure of a main role. Her appearance marks her first significant on-camera discussion of the abuse allegations, making it a pivotal moment for the franchise. Going forward, Richards is focusing on healing and rebuilding her life post-Phypers. The actress has demonstrated resilience throughout the public legal battle and continues receiving support from her RHOBH family and former castmates like Erika and Kathy. Fans and fellow housewives have praised her courage for speaking openly about domestic abuse on such a visible platform.
Sources
- Bravo – Denise Richards’ Season 15 Episode 10 appearance and After Show discussions
- People Magazine – Court testimony and restraining order details regarding abuse allegations
- Los Angeles Times – Permanent restraining order granted and legal proceedings update
