As her ongoing divorce case unfolds, actress Denise Richards is seeking to make her temporary restraining order against ex-husband Aaron Phypers permanent, following disturbing allegations of abuse. Testimony from Kathleen McAllister, Phypers’ cousin, provides new insight into the alleged incidents.

Alleged Abuse Testimony

During a virtual court hearing on October 6, 2025, McAllister, who worked at Phypers’ Malibu medical office from 2017 to 2022, claimed she personally witnessed Phypers hit Richards on January 17, 2022, leaving the star with a black eye.

“I saw Aaron hit Denise and immediately she had a really bad black eye,” McAllister said. “I’m literally in shock now to this day about it.”

McAllister demonstrated in court how Phypers allegedly struck Richards with the palm of his hand. She testified that the altercation occurred after a heated argument fueled by alcohol and Phypers’ suspicion that Richards had installed “listening devices” in his office.

Additional Alleged Incidents

McAllister described several other alleged instances of abuse between January and May 2022, including:

• Concussion from head slammed against a wall: Phypers allegedly pinned Richards against a concrete wall outside his office, causing a concussion.
• Bathroom injury: Richards purportedly sustained a head injury after Phypers allegedly slammed her head on a toilet paper rack.
• Earlier 2021 incident: Richards reportedly hid in the office bathroom to escape Phypers’ aggressive behavior.

McAllister said the period was marked by escalating abuse, yelling, and threats, including multiple death threats directed at both Richards and herself.

“He just would be raging and threatening that if we told anybody, he’d kill us all,” McAllister testified.

When questioned about substance use, McAllister confirmed that Phypers was heavily drinking at the time, describing him as “what anyone would refer to as an alcoholic,” which she said fueled his aggression.

Legal Context

Richards initially sought the temporary restraining order after Phypers filed for divorce on July 7, 2025. In response, Phypers denied all abuse allegations, calling them “completely false and deeply hurtful.” He has not publicly addressed McAllister’s recent testimony.

Richards’ lawyer noted that McAllister agreed to testify under the condition that her name remain off the witness list due to fear of intimidation by Phypers.

Court Proceedings

The judge is expected to hear additional testimony and review evidence through October 8, 2025, as Richards pushes to make the restraining order permanent amid her divorce proceedings.