I had the same issue happen. I went to fight in in full netherite gear with a friend. I had a power 4 bow with flame. I got withered and the effect didnt go away. It stayed there until it killed me. I came back and some stuff it missing but I went on fighting it. I got withered and died. I came back to the location and the wither had destroyed all of my belongings. And a huge crater where the items were at. I proceeded to delete the world after that because there was no point. I started this world 4 days ago and had this crap happen...
Hinrichs
I had the same issue happen. I went to fight in in full netherite gear with a friend. I had a power 4 bow with flame. I got withered and the effect didnt go away. It stayed there until it killed me. I came back and some stuff it missing but I went on fighting it. I got withered and died. I came back to the location and the wither had destroyed all of my belongings. And a huge crater where the items were at. I proceeded to delete the world after that because there was no point. I started this world 4 days ago and had this crap happen...