On Friday, Aaron Phypers, the former spouse of Denise Richards, found himself under arrest on allegations of ‘spousal abuse’ amidst their ongoing divorce proceedings.
The 54-year-old television personality and her estranged partner both attended a court session in Los Angeles, where Phypers was detained by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputies.
Richards’ attorney confirmed to Us Weekly that Phypers was apprehended on charges related to ‘spousal abuse.’
An observer recounted the incident, stating that Phypers was ‘arrested outside the court and escorted down a nearby escalator, not returning to the hallway.’
Richards was present in the courthouse during the incident and reportedly remained ‘composed’ while engaging with ‘her team.’
Another bystander noted that Phypers seemed ‘baffled’ by the arrest and appeared unaware that he was about to be taken into custody by law enforcement.
A lawyer for Phypers named Michael Finley has since commented on the arrest and told TMZ that he was taken into custody over an ‘outstanding warrant’ that has a possible connection to Richards’ abuse allegations.
Denise Richards’ ex Aaron Phypers has been arrested outside of court over charges of ‘spousal abuse’ on Friday amid their ongoing divorce battle; seen in May in Universal City
A lawyer for Phypers named Michael Finley has since commented on the arrest and told TMZ that he was taken into custody over an ‘outstanding warrant’ that has a possible connection to Richards’ abuse allegations; seen in January in L.A.
Finley claimed that Phypers did not know of any warrant and also accused Richards as well as her legal team of ‘setting him up.’
Daily Mail has reached out to Phypers and Richards’ reps for comment but did not immediately hear back.
The estranged couple both appeared in court on Friday for a restraining order hearing, with Richards’ final testimony taking place following a lunch break.
One eyewitness also told Us Weekly that at the time, eight officers were seen standing outside the courtroom.
The hearing as well as Richards’ temporary restraining order have been extended to November 7.
Back in July, Phypers filed for divorce from Richards and cited ‘irreconcilable differences’ as the reason for the split, with their date of separation listed as July 4, 2025.
That same month, Richards was granted a temporary restraining order only days after he filed for divorce.
The actress – who was previously married to Charlie Sheen – has also alleged that Phypers gave her three concussions and that her marriage to Sheen had been better.
A lawyer for Richards told Us Weekly that her ex was arrested for ‘spousal abuse’
The actress – who was previously married to Charlie Sheen – has also alleged that Phypers gave her three concussions and that her marriage to Sheen had been better; seen in September in L.A.
Finley claimed that Phypers did not know of any warrant and also accused Richards as well as her legal team of ‘setting him up’; Richards seen outside of courthouse in L.A. on Friday
Richards previously shared a photo of herself with a black eye, but Phypers claimed that she ‘bruises easily.’
It was also revealed on Friday in court documents obtained by TMZ that Phypers has requested half the earnings that his estranged wife received from OnlyFans.
He claimed that the TV personality garnered around $200K-$300K each month from the pictures that she uploaded to the site.
Phypers offered a reasoning behind his request and explained that he had taken the photos that she shared to OnlyFans.
He further alleged that he is in financial trouble and is need of money in order to make rent payments and pay other bills.
It was previously reported that Phypers was asking his estranged wife for $150,000 to pay rent and his lawyers, leaving her furious.
During their time as husband and wife, he had access to their joint accounts – which he claims he cannot access anymore.
Richards was seen at the courthouse in L.A. on Friday while sporting a short-sleeved black shirt as well as a pair of black trousers.
Richards was seen at the courthouse in L.A. on Friday while sporting a short-sleeved black shirt as well as a pair of black trousers
It was also revealed on Friday in court documents obtained by TMZ that Phypers has requested half the earnings that his estranged wife received from OnlyFans; seen in 2019 in West Hollywood
She slipped into a pair of black heels and allowed her blonde hair to flow down in light curls. A pair of stylish shades were also worn for a finishing touch to her look.
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star shared further details about the alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex earlier this month.
During a hearing regarding a temporary restraining order she was granted against Phypers in July – which she wants to make permanent – she claimed that he ’caused me at least three concussions,’ People reported.
During an incident the actress said happened at a Chicago hotel in April 2025, Phypers ‘was squeezing my head so hard’ that it ‘felt like he was crushing my skull.’
She also claimed her tumultuous marriage to Sheen was better because proverbially, ‘he never hit below the belt.’
The entertainer was granted a temporary restraining order on July 16, days after Phypers filed for divorce.
A source close to him later claimed that the Wild Things actress and her legal team are ‘spewing fiction’ and that he is ‘planning on emerging victorious on this domestic violence protection order.’
During the hearing a video Richards recorded in August was shown by Phypers’ attorneys, according to People.
She also claimed her tumultuous marriage to Sheen was better because proverbially, ‘he never hit below the belt’; former couple seen in September in Hollywood
A source close to him later claimed that the Wild Things actress and her legal team are ‘spewing fiction’ and that he is ‘planning on emerging victorious on this domestic violence protection order’; Phypers seen in January in L.A.
In the clip she compared their six-year marriage to her previous union with Sheen, to whom she was married from 2002 to 2005 and with whom she shares daughters Sami, 21, and Lola, 20.
‘Things were bad with Charlie and I, but he never hit below the belt,’ she said.
In addition to her daughters with Sheen, the actress is also mother to adopted daughter Eloise, 14.
Phypers alleged that he discovered Richards having a months-long affair with a former special forces soldier named Rudy Reyes at the end of their relationship.
He claimed in a detailed letter to ‘family and close friends’ that Rudy had showered her with X-rated photos and videos, including a graphic clip that showed him naked and pleasuring himself.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, he claimed he caught wind of his wife’s alleged affair in April.
Phypers alleged that he discovered Richards having a months-long affair with a former special forces soldier named Rudy Reyes at the end of their relationship; seen in 2023 in L.A.
He said she’d promised to break it off, only for him to catch her lying about another hook-up with Reyes that took place at a Hilton Garden Inn in Burbank, California the following month.
He claimed his discovery of the May tryst led to an explosive argument over the July 4th holiday weekend, during which she smashed his phone.
After Phypers filed divorce paperwork on July 7, Richards hit back a week later with a request for a temporary restraining order that included a laundry list of domestic abuse allegations – all of which her husband denies.
Richards began dating Phypers in 2017 and the estranged couple tied the knot the following year during a ceremony in Malibu.
