pvp noob question #2

[gprater]

earlier in the week this situation played out:

my friend and are on the snake ledge in BB.
I am level 7 he is 6.
A necro attacks us.
I pull my pet off the snake and attack necro.
I am fairly sure the necro was not at full health when he attacked but dont know how much.
Necro kills my friend
I drop to about 5% before i kill necro.

my confusion arises as I try to loot the necro and cannot. My friend hurries back and he cannot either. Why?

thanks