Title: "Denise Richards’ Estranged Husband Provides New Explanation for Her Black Eye Amid Contentious Divorce"

This version maintains key details, emphasizes the "new" aspect of the explanation, and replaces "messy" with "contentious" for a more formal tone while preserving clarity.

Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers’ Divorce Takes Ugly Turn Amid Abuse Allegations
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[IMAGE: Denise Richards with a visible black eye, captioned: Richards included this photo in her restraining order filing, alleging abuse by Phypers in 2022.]

Actress Denise Richards, 54, and her estranged husband Aaron Phypers, 49, are embroiled in a bitter divorce battle, with Richards recently filing for a restraining order accusing him of physical abuse. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star claims Phypers struck her during a 2022 altercation, leaving her with a black eye. However, sources close to Phypers insist the injury resulted from a drunken fall, not abuse.

Clashing Accounts of the Black Eye
In court documents, Richards alleged Phypers became paranoid about “listening devices” in potted plants at his Malibu clinic, Q360, before hitting her in the eye. She stated a family member witnessed the incident and helped ice the injury. Phypers’ camp vehemently denies this, with a source claiming Richards “was drunk and fell up the clinic stairs,” causing the injury. The source added, “Multiple people saw her arrive with the injury, and Aaron has never laid a hand on her.”

[IMAGE: Phypers’ now-closed Q360 Clinic, captioned: The alleged 2022 incident occurred at Phypers’ Malibu clinic, which closed in 2024.]

Phypers Denies Abuse, Alleges Richards’ “Alcohol Problem”
Phypers released a statement calling the abuse claims “categorically untrue,” adding, “I have always approached our marriage with love and respect.” His team accused Richards of fabricating the story to conceal struggles with alcohol—a claim referencing her 2023 RHOBH episode where she appeared to slur her words. Richards has not publicly responded to the allegation.

Divorce Drama Escalates Over Finances
Phypers filed for divorce in July 2025, seeking $105,000 monthly in spousal support. He claimed his income dropped to “zero” after his clinic closed, while Richards earns $250,000/month via OnlyFans and her canceled reality show. His lavish spending habits—including $20,000/month on clothing and $15,000 on dining—were scrutinized in court. Richards countered with abuse allegations, detailing a July 4 argument where she claims Phypers screamed insults, pushed her down stairs, and threatened, “You’ll disappear if you call the police.”

[IMAGE: Richards and Phypers together in 2020, captioned: The couple married in 2018 after Phypers’ divorce from actress Nicolette Sheridan.]

History of Turbulent Relationships
Richards, who shares two daughters with ex Charlie Sheen and adopted a third child in 2011, has openly opposed divorce since her split from Sheen in 2006. She vowed on her reality show earlier this year, “I’m never getting divorced again—even if we hate each other.” Phypers adopted Richards’ daughter Eloise during their marriage, which began in 2018 shortly after his divorce from Desperate Housewives star Nicolette Sheridan.

The case continues to unfold, with a judge granting Richards a temporary restraining order requiring Phypers to stay 100 yards away. As both sides prepare for court, the conflicting narratives leave the public questioning the truth behind the sensational claims.

Images and captions are placeholders reflecting key moments in the story.