Aaron Phypers has been accused of threatening his cousin, Kathleen McAllister, related to allegations of abuse involving Denise Richards.
Prosecutors claim that Phypers, who was arrested on Friday, has faced two charges related to injuring a spouse and two charges for trying to intimidate a witness. They allege he “intentionally and maliciously” warned McAllister in January 2022 not to go public with information through “implicit threats of force and violence,” according to reports.
Representatives for both Richards and Phypers, who were released on $200,000 bail, have not commented on the situation.
In a restraining order request filed in July, Richards described an incident where a family member was present at her estranged husband’s wellness center in Malibu during the alleged threat. She detailed how Phypers became agitated, believing that potted plants he brought to work contained listening devices.
The situation escalated, and Phypers reportedly hit Richards in the eye, resulting in a bruise. She also claimed that he instructed her to harm herself by hitting her face against stored items.
During a hearing on October 6, McAllister shared her account of witnessing Phypers hit Richards, expressing her shock at the events. McAllister, who worked at the treatment center from 2017 to 2022, supported Richards’ assertions that Phypers was paranoid about a potential listening device placed by his estranged wife.
She characterized the night of the incident as chaotic, indicating that alcohol played a role in the escalating tensions.
In his own testimony, McAllister noted a “period of escalating abuse” between Phypers and Richards from January 2022 to May 2022, alleging that Phypers had threatened both her and Richards if the abuse was disclosed.
Phypers has denied all allegations of abuse and claimed that Richards was the one being aggressive, referring to the accusations against him as “toxic” and without merit.
During a restraining order hearing on October 8, Phypers insisted that Richards bruises easily and claimed not to remember her having a black eye.
The couple, who married in 2018, officially separated in July, attributing their split to “irreconcilable differences.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
