The divorce between actress‑reality star Denise Richards and her estranged husband Aaron Phypers has escalated far beyond a simple split. It now involves serious criminal charges, domestic violence allegations, and a dramatic financial tug‑of‑war over Richards’ digital earnings. The headline‑grabbing claim: Phypers is demandinghalf of Richards’ earnings from her OnlyFans account—while he simultaneously faces an on‑the‑record arrest inside a courtroom. This is part divorce drama, part criminal case, part digital‑era money fight. Let’s unpack the facts.

The Couple’s History

Denise Richards, known for her film roles and for her stint on reality television, married Aaron Phypers in 2018. Their marriage followed Richards’ earlier high‑profile relationship with Charlie Sheen. Phypers, a wellness‑businessman and actor, entered the public eye via Richards and their appearances on her reality programming.

By July 2025 their marriage had unraveled. Phypers filed for divorce citing “irreconcilable differences.” Richards responded almost immediately with a stark and detailed legal filing alleging years of physical and emotional abuse.

The Abuse Allegations & Restraining‑Order Filing

In mid‑July 2025 Richards obtained a temporary domestic violence restraining order against Phypers. She alleged repeated physical abuse throughout their marriage, including choking, violent head‑grabs, slamming her head against objects, and threats to kill her.

Key excerpts of her claims:

She said Phypers “violently choke[d] me… aggressively slam[med] my head into the bathroom towel rack” and “threatened to kill me.”

She claimed she suffered “at least three concussions” due to incidents in 2022 and 2025, including one where she alleged he squeezed her head so hard it felt like her skull would collapse.

Richards testified that during a vulnerable period after cosmetic surgery (seven‑hour facelift) in April 2025, Phypers became “very volatile” and physically aggressive when she was recovering.

In these filings she also claimed Phypers had unauthorized access to her devices, downloaded private messages, and threatened her safety when she considered calling police.

Phypers denied these allegations, labeled them “false,” and said he had evidence to prove his side.

Thus, the divorce has morphed into a very public and emotionally charged battle involving claims of abuse, safety concerns and digital privacy violations.

The Arrest Inside the Courtroom

In a dramatic turn, on October 17, 2025, Aaron Phypers was arrested inside a Los Angeles courtroom during a hearing related to Richards’ restraining‑order request.

According to filings and media reports:

The State of California had issued a >felony warrant for Phypers on October 16, listing four charges: two counts for injuring a spouse/co‑habitant, and two counts for dissuading a witness by force or threat.

The alleged incidents date back to January and May of 2022.

Inside the courthouse, witnesses say Phypers was escorted out by deputies, visibly upset, after the judge granted Richards a continuance and extended the temporary restraining order to November 7.

His bail was set at”>$200,000.

This arrest underlines the severity of the legal jeopardy and raises the stakes dramatically in what already was a contentious divorce.

The OnlyFans Fortune: A Digital Money War

Perhaps equally headline‑grabbing: Phypers is seekinghalf of Richards’ OnlyFans income, claiming he helped build the platform and owns intellectual‑property rights to many of the photos and digital content.

Important details:

According to documents obtained by Page Six, Richards reportedly earns between $200,000 and $300,000 per month from OnlyFans since joining in 2022.

Phypers argues that the photographs on the account were taken by him, and thus constitute joint marital income, not sole property. He requests a 50 % share of that income under property law.

He also claims financial distress: stating he’s facing eviction, utilities might be shut off, and his business equipment was removed. He contends Richards cut off his access to joint accounts and resources.

In essence, this is not merely a request for spousal support—it’s a fight over digital‑era property rights. In an age where star‑influencers monetize personal content online, the dispute raises legal questions about marital divisions of “platform income.”

The Broader Implications

Several major implications emerge:

Domestic Violence & Celebrity Relationships

Richards’ detailed allegations and the subsequent arrest of Phypers highlight how domestic‑violence claims in high‑profile marriages spill into public view, with tremendous personal and reputational risk for both parties.

Digital Content as Marital Asset

The OnlyFans dispute speaks to a growing legal frontier: when one spouse’s earnings stem from social media or subscription platforms, how is it divided in divorce? Phypers’ claim rests on the idea that the content was co‑produced (by him) and therefore joint property.

Celebrity Brand & Vulnerability

Richards’ brand—as actress, reality star, influencer—is at stake. While she has high earning power, the negative publicity around abuse allegations and vengeance digital leaks could affect sponsorships, roles, and her public appeal.

Courtroom vs. Social Media Narrative

The arrest inside court, the leaked laptops/devices, the nude photograph allegations—all feed into the social‑media narrative machine. Public perception may weigh heavily even before legal outcomes. In celebrity matters, trial by media can rival trial by jury.

Key Timeline of Events

2018: Richards and Phypers marry.

2022: Alleged incidents in January and May become basis for later criminal complaint. April 2025: Richards claims incident in Chicago hotel after surgery (head‑squeeze alleged).

July 4, 2025: Phypers files for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.

July 17, 2025: Richards files for restraining order, alleges years of abuse.

August 2025: Additional filings re: stolen laptop/photos emerge.October 17, 2025: Phypers arrested in court on felony warrant.

October 2025: Phypers files to claim half of Richards’ OnlyFans income.

What to Watch Going Forward

Criminal case outcome: Will the felony charges against Phypers proceed to trial? Will there be a plea or dismissal? The court date and how the evidence holds up matter.

Divorce settlement: How will the OnlyFans income be treated? Will Richards’ earnings be considered “marital property” or separate property under the law?

Protective orders and trust: Will the restraining order be made permanent? How will custody or asset controls be resolved?

Public and brand implications: How will both Richards and Phypers manage their public reputations amid these allegations and financial demands?

Conclusion

What initially might have been viewed as a typical celebrity divorce has morphed into a multi‑front legal battle: criminal charges, restraining orders, domestic‑abuse claims, digital‑platform assets, and tens of thousands of dollars per month at stake. The fact that Aaron Phypers was arrested in court while seeking half of Denise Richards’ OnlyFans earnings underlines the complexity of modern celebrity relationships and the evolving nature of online monetization in divorce law.