In the weeks leading up to Christmas, an anonymous tip including reports of threatening behaviour from Shacklebolt launched a former inquiry into his recent past, prompting him to take a mandatory Ministry-issued leave of absence from his position. While it was largely assumed and asserted by the former Minister himself that he had no knowledge or involvement in the murders of various Pure-blood families and individuals committed by his then assistant Percy Weasley in October of 1999, new information suggesting he was not only aware the crimes, but was also a co-conspirator and participant has come to light.