“I caught it”- Aaron Phypers claims Denise Richards was cheating on him, denies abuse allegations

Aaron Phypers is turning the tables in his divorce drama, accusing wife Denise Richards of infidelity while steadfastly denying her explosive abuse claims. Amid Denise’s recent filing for a temporary restraining order, complete with allegations of choking, slapping, and threats, the spotlight now falls on text-message "receipts" that Phypers says expose a secret affair.

Instead of retreating, he’s going on offense: “I caught it,” he says, referencing explicit screenshots he claims were buried on Denise’s laptop. But he’s also adamant he never raised a hand in anger, calling all abuse accusations “completely false and deeply hurtful.”

Is Aaron Phypers really shielding himself from wrongdoing or redirecting attention to Denise Richards’ alleged wrongdoing? This story unpacks what’s at the heart of their marital unraveling.

Aaron Phypers says Denise Richards was cheating — denies all abuse allegations

Aaron Phypers’ response to Denise Richards’ abuse claims is a headline-grabber: he says he found proof she was cheating. In an exclusive to TMZ, Phypers revealed that earlier this year he discovered a trove of text messages and selfies on Denise’s laptop—messages sent between her and another man, including flirtatious “sweet dreams” and plans for clandestine hotel rendezvous.

He describes confronting Denise, demanding his phone back after it vanished (later found crushed in the trash), and says the hotel texts were the spark igniting their fiery July 4 fight and eventual divorce.

Phypers insists he filed for divorce first on July 7, citing irreconcilable differences, after Denise supposedly told his mother she would initiate proceedings. He then says Denise turned the narrative by filing for a restraining order, alleging he was abusive. According to her version, he physically assaulted her on multiple occasions, strangled her, threatened to kill her and left bruises and a black eye.

Phypers categorically refutes these allegations. In a statement to People, he expressed hurt over Denise’s claims, calling them

“completely false and deeply hurtful” and called for privacy as their “personal matters” are handled.

He also attributes the black eye to a drunken fall at his office in winter 2022—a version supported by a friend’s account, instead of abuse. That black eye reappeared in a resurfaced clip from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, where Phypers ominously threatens,

“I’m going to crush your f—king hand.”

Co-stars later expressed shock, citing zero tolerance for such remarks. To Phypers, it was a tense, albeit joking, moment—he says he was “afraid of her” and didn’t recall threatening her after she rewatched the footage.

Now there are two dueling narratives: Denise paints a portrait of sustained abuse, one punctuated by threats, digital surveillance and violence; Aaron counters with betrayal, broken trust and evidence; he claims that Denise cheated and misrepresented events.

With a temporary restraining order in place (effective until at least the August 8 hearing) and a divorce process well underway the final chapter has yet to be written. What’s clear is both are laying bare painful details for public consumption, each hoping their version sticks.

Background on Aaron Phypers and Denise Richards’ relationship

Denise Richards and Aaron Phypers tied the knot in September 2018, not long after he ended things with Nicollette Sheridan. Their relationship played out in front of cameras on Denise Richards & Her Wild Things, which aired earlier this year and gave fans a look into their lives with Denise’s daughters. But off-camera things weren’t so smooth. People close to them say the marriage was rocky, filled with arguments and tension.

Phypers filed for divorce on July 7 listing July 4 as the day they split and saying the marriage couldn’t be saved. Less than two weeks later, Denise got a temporary restraining order against him, claiming months—maybe even years—of emotional and physical abuse. She also submitted photos and court documents to back it up.

Since then, the whole situation has played out like a real-life soap opera—complete with screenshots, bruises and viral clips. Both sides are sticking to their stories. Their court hearing in August might finally bring some answers. Until then, people are watching closely, trying to figure out whether this was just a love story gone bad or something even messier.