Aaron Phypers is denying all domestic violence allegations made by his estranged wife Denise Richards, according to a statement provided to PEOPLE on Thursday.
The denial comes one day after Richards was granted a temporary restraining order against Phypers on Wednesday, July 16.
“I want to address recent rumors and speculation that have surfaced regarding my relationship with my wife, Denise Richards. Let me be unequivocally clear: I have never physically or emotionally abused Denise – or anyone. These accusations are completely false and deeply hurtful.”
Phypers, 49, filed for divorce from the 54-year-old actress on July 7, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
His statement continued: “Denise and I, like many couples, have faced our share of challenges, but any suggestion of abuse is categorically untrue. I have always tried to approach our marriage with love, patience, and respect.”
Richards Details Alleged Abuse Pattern
In court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Richards described what she called a pattern of abuse throughout their six-year marriage.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum alleged that Phypers “repeatedly abused” her and made threats against both their lives.
“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 claimed Phypers caused her “at least three concussions” and regularly threatened to “break my jaw.”
She said he would “cry, beg me to stay, and promise to get help – none of which ever happened.”
Recent Incidents Cited
The restraining order request focused on incidents between July 4-14, which Richards described as the most recent alleged assaults.
On July 4 – the separation date listed in Phypers’ divorce filing – Richards alleged he “got within two inches of my face” and called her degrading names.
The next day, she claimed Phypers repeated the verbal abuse in front of his father, who then threatened to publicly call her names online.
Later that day, Richards alleged Phypers “grabbed both of my arms forcefully and pushed me and dragged me to the ground. I landed hard on the stairs causing me immense pain.”
When she threatened to call police, Richards claimed Phypers said: “I would like to see the cops take me away, I will blow everything up if they try.”
Weapons Allegations
Richards alleged that Phypers “owns at least eight unregistered guns” and “multiple bullet proof vests.”
She claimed he threatened that she would “disappear” if she contacted law enforcement.
The actress said she’s been “afraid” to report the alleged abuse because Phypers “has repeatedly threatened to kill himself and me if I reported him to the police.”
Richards has requested that Phypers pay her legal expenses and attend a 52-week batterer intervention program.
Phypers concluded his statement by asking for privacy: “I ask for privacy as we navigate personal matters, and I hope that the public and media will refrain from spreading harmful and baseless claims.”
If you’re experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or visit thehotline.org. All calls are confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
