Liam Hemsworth Spotted in Australia as Miley Cyrus Steps Out Without Engagement Ring

USMagazine, Saturday, March 9, 2013, 8:15am (PST)

Maybe distance makes the heart grow fonder? Liam Hemsworth's whereabouts this week are adding fuel to the flame -- while fiance Miley Cyrus stepped out without her 3.5-carat engagement ring two nights in a row, the Hunger Games star was spotted several thousand miles away in Australia.

An eyewitness told E! News that a group of female fans spotted Hemsworth, 23, walking down Jonson Street in New South Wales' Byron Bay earlier this week and immediately started shrieking and running toward him.

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The actor managed to duck into a nearby shop, but was later forced to reemerge into the street, where the fans were excitedly waiting.

"He looked a bit angry with all the girls around him," the onlooker said. One day later, Hemsworth was spotted spending time with brother Chris Hemsworth, sister-in-law Elsa Pataky and their baby daughter India Rose on Friday, March 8.

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Hemsworth's 20-year-old fiance, meanwhile, was keeping some company of her own back in Hollywood, stepping out to a house party in North Hollywood on Thursday, March 7, with a dark-haired man Us Weekly has identified as Hemsworth's friend Paul Khoury.

The LOL actress opted not to wear her diamond engagement ring for her night out on the town, the second time in as many days. Cyrus was first spotted without her ring on Wednesday, March 6, as she headed to her recording studio in an all-black outfit without her bauble, leading to murmurs of a troubled engagement.

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Sources close to the couple tell Us that the pair's on-again, off-again relationship is now off.

"Liam and Miley are done," a friend tells Us. "She says she's over it."

The source tells Us that the couple's problems stem from a disagreement about their dueling careers and Cyrus' shocking image makeover, among other issues.

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"He's not happy," the pal says.

Cyrus later took to Twitter to dispel rumors, telling her fans that she "didn't call off my wedding."

"Taking a break from social media. #draining," she added. Cyrus is choosing instead to focus on her music.

"My new music is gonna shut everyone up," she wrote. "Not discussing anything but my music from now on."

Cyrus and Hemsworth announced their plans to wed last June after Hemsworth popped the question on May 31.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: Liam Hemsworth Spotted in Australia as Miley Cyrus Steps Out Without Engagement Ring