Denise Richards submitted photo evidence to support her claims that estranged husband Aaron Phypers and his family damaged her Calabasas home during their ongoing divorce proceedings.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum filed a complaint on Aug. 19 requesting a court order for Phypers and his family to vacate the property. PEOPLE obtained the filing, which included photos Richards allegedly took on Aug. 3 when retrieving belongings.
Richards alleged in the filing that “Aaron and his parents and brother have severely damaged the property and left the house in a state of disarray.”
The photos show flooring removed from bedrooms and hallways, with boxes, clothing and papers scattered throughout rooms. In what appears to be a living room, furniture sits pushed against walls while items remain tossed on the floor.
Phypers disputed Richards’ characterization of the damage.
“We had to rip up the carpet because you couldn’t breathe in the room, it was that disgusting. I had my brother rip up carpet because it was super saturated with piss and fecal matter,” Phypers told PEOPLE.
He explained that Richards’ dogs have been living in the home with his parents.
“It was a biohazard. We were hoping to replace everything.”
Richards said she was “shocked at the condition of the home, having not lived there for over two years.” She also claimed Phypers hadn’t been paying rent and that eviction proceedings were set to begin Aug. 23.
The actress specified she entered the home when Phypers wasn’t there to avoid violating her temporary restraining order against him.
Phypers maintains the photos don’t tell the full story.
“It was 10 times worse than what you see now in those pictures. That’s all her stuff, by the way. Those are all her boxes of clothes, which my mom took off the floor and tried to hang it up in wardrobe boxes. Denise has abandoned everything.”
According to the filing, both Richards and Phypers are named on the lease. Richards moved out two years ago so Phypers’ family could live there, leaving behind personal items and belongings from her late mother.
The property served as the couple’s marital home. Richards believed they’d move back once his family returned to Canada.
Divorce Details
A source close to Phypers claimed the filing was an attempt “to divert attention away from her adulterous affair.”
“We thought all these shenanigans were being dropped from courts. Denise’s immediate interest in trying to get into the residence Aaron lives in is not only suspicious, but manipulative.”
The source alleged Richards “previously agreed to a swap of personal property with Aaron for July 16th when the movers were surprisingly turned away.” They claim she’s kept “all personal, business, and third-party equipment from Phypers, leaving him with only a shirt on his back for the last 50 days.”
Phypers says he still lacks access to his belongings.
“I don’t have any of my clothes. I don’t have any money, I’ve been trying to sell little bits here and there. I don’t have my equipment to do my trade.”
“I don’t have anything. I had to borrow a shirt and tie from my buddy to even present myself at court on a Zoom feed.”
Phypers filed for divorce from Richards on July 7, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The couple, who married in 2018, separated on July 4 according to court documents.
After the filing, Richards claimed Phypers physically abused her on multiple occasions. She was granted a temporary restraining order against him.
Phypers denied the abuse allegations in a previous statement to PEOPLE, calling them “completely false and deeply hurtful.”
