Papillio by Birkenstock Soley Ring Buckle Wedge Sandal - Discontinued

I wore this shoe only about four times and kept them stored in a drawstring fabric bag with desiccants. They were 3 1/2 years old, leather and soles were like new. I recently wore them to a baptismal and when walking from the car to church, the heel on both shoes started disintegrating. I thought this shoe was so comfortable so I also have a black pair and a pale pink pair, they too are barely worn. I bought them around the same time as them as the brown one so I’m afraid to wear them anywhere. I threw them out with the brown pair. What a waste.