Denise Richards’ estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, is being accused of preventing his cousin Kathleen McAllister from speaking out about his alleged abuse, Us Weekly can exclusively report.
Us obtained a copy of the criminal complaint and arrest warrant filed by prosecutors in Los Angeles on October 15. The filing shows the four felony counts that Phypers, 53, was charged with that led to his arrest on Friday, October 17, at court. As Us previously reported, the Deputy District Attorney officially charged Phypers with two felony counts related to injuring a spouse and two felony counts related to dissuading a witness by force or threat.
In the new filing, the prosecutors explained that one of the felony charges related to dissuading a witness involved — Phypers’ cousin, who worked with him at his former wellness center in Malibu, California.
The alleged incident occurred on January 17, 2022, during which prosecutors believe Phypers “knowingly and maliciously” committed an act that was accompanied by “force and an express and implied threat of force and violence” against McAllister and Richards, 54.
In her petition for a restraining order filed in July, Richards described an incident at Phypers’ wellness center on January 17.
She said a female family member was present. “Aaron brought several potted plants into the center and became paranoid that they contained listening devices,” the report claimed.
Richards alleged that a police officer, who was in the parking lot and is often in the neighborhood, approached the door after hearing yelling.
Aaron Phypers’ Ex-Employee Details ‘Incredibly Abusive’ Work Environment
Once the officer left, Richards claimed Phypers resumed screaming, then used the heel of his palm to strike her in the eye while calling her a “f***ing bitch.” Richards claimed the family member present witnessed the assault and immediately retrieved frozen food to reduce the swelling. She claimed Phypers insisted she tell others that she walked into a piece of equipment stored on the building’s balcony, “which was untrue.”
One of Phypers’ felony charges, related to injuring a spouse, is connected to the January 17, 2022, incident. The second felony charge over alleged injuries to his spouse is over an incident on May 3, 2022.
In court, Richards testified that Phypers caused her to suffer at least three concussions due to his alleged abuse. She claimed that he gave her a black eye after he “slammed” her against a concrete wall and her “head hit it” while at his wellness center between March and May 2022. Phypers adamantly denied Richards’ claims on the stand.
As Us previously reported, Richards obtained a temporary restraining order on July 16, days after Phypers filed for divorce. The exes testified in court as part of the actress’ attempt to obtain a permanent restraining order against Phypers.
Denise Richards’ Estranged Husband Aaron Phypers Addresses Arrest
Phypers was arrested on October 17 after testifying in the restraining order case and taken into custody. He was released after posting $200,000 bond. If convicted, Phypers faces up to four years in prison.
On Saturday, October 18, Phypers’ lawyer, Michael Finley, told Us, “We can confirm that Aaron Phypers was, in fact, arrested near the end of the family law court day on October 17, 2025, and was later released on bail.”
Finley added, “We have not seen the criminal complaint, but we believe that it is most likely based upon the some of the same false accusations that Denise Richards has brought against Mr. Phypers in the family law domestic violence proceeding, which she claims occurred nearly four years ago. If so, we expect that the evidence will demonstrate Mr. Phypers’ innocence and that he will be acquitted.”
