Actress Denise Richards was recently photographed in Calabasas, California, appearing to have bruising around her right eye and a visible scrape beneath her chin—prompting a wave of public concern.
The sighting came just days after a tense incident involving her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, who reportedly called police following Richards’ unannounced visit to his family’s home.
Richards, 54, kept a low profile during the outing, wearing a navy blue trucker hat, a gray ribbed midi dress, and carrying a large designer handbag along with a water bottle and jacket. She appeared subdued as she ran errands.
Photos of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, obtained by Page Six, quickly sparked speculation from fans online. However, sources told TMZ that the supposed bruising may have been misleading. “Just lighting and shadow,” one insider claimed.
They also noted that Denise Richards had recently undergone cosmetic treatments, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections and micro-needling procedures known to temporarily cause swelling or discoloration.
The public appearance followed a reported altercation last Sunday. According to PEOPLE, Phypers, 52, called authorities after Richards allegedly showed up unannounced at his parents’ home and began banging on the door, demanding the family leave.
In police dispatch audio obtained by the outlet, Phypers expressed fear for his parents’ safety during the incident. Reports claim he left the home through a side door while his sibling remained outside, near Richards’ car, until police arrived.
No arrests were made, and authorities determined that no crime had occurred. Still, the latest episode is the most recent in a string of escalating tensions between the estranged couple.
Richards filed a restraining order against Phypers in July, alleging domestic violence and including a photograph showing a severely bruised left eye. In her filing, she described a pattern of abuse throughout their marriage.
However, a friend of Phypers has publicly pushed back on the allegations, claiming the injury was caused by a fall while Richards was intoxicated, not by physical abuse.
Richards and Phypers were married in 2018. Their once-private relationship has increasingly played out under public scrutiny amid legal battles and personal accusations.
Richards was previously married to actor Charlie Sheen. She shares two daughters, Sami, 21, and Lola, 20, with Sheen, as well as a 13-year-old adopted daughter, Eloise.
As the legal proceedings between Richards and Phypers continue, the former couple remains in the spotlight—with growing concerns about their personal safety and ongoing conflict.