Charlie Sheen Being ‘Very Protective’ Over Ex Denise Richards Amid Messy Split From Aaron Phypers

Denise Richards has accused her estranged husband Aaron Phypers of monstrous abuse, and the National Enquirer can reveal she’s found comfort in an unlikely angel — ex-husband Charlie Sheen.

“When Charlie first heard about the split, he wasn’t that supportive, but once the abuse allegations started coming out, everything changed,” says an insider.

“He’s absolutely horrified by what Denise says she went through. He’s been checking in on her and even told her he’d personally step in if Aaron came anywhere near her. He’s being very protective.”

Denise, 54, has accused her soon-to-be ex-husband of physical and verbal abuse and posted shocking pictures showing her with a black eye that she claims was hand-delivered by Aaron.

In court documents, the reality star alleges Aaron, 52, was violent toward her several times and threatened to kill her — and himself — if she told police, per TMZ.

Onetime wellness guru Aaron has denied ever laying a hand on her.

“Not true. I have all the details. She is creating a story to save her image reporting a conjured up story when I have all the real evidence,” he insisted toTMZ.

Aaron also claimed Denise is addicted to Vicodin and is having an “ongoing” affair with another man.

While Charlie, 59, is doling out comforting words to Denise, he’s also giving her a dose of tough love.

“He has some worries about her lifestyle choices and thinks she needs to take time out to get centered so she can cope with everything she’s going through,” says the insider.

“He wants to make sure Denise is taking good care of herself. He’s offered to help her in any way that she needs.”

As readers know, Charlie and Denise had a tumultuous split when she was pregnant with their second child.

They get along better now and coparent their daughters, Sami, 21, and Lola, 20. Denise is also mom to daughter Eloise, 13, who she adopted as a single mom in 2011.

Adds the insider, “Charlie can be very compassionate when he wants to be. For all their troubles, he loves Denise. She’s the mother of his children and he’ll always have her back.”