She joined the Foreign Service three years ago after graduating from college, "and there was no better place for her, " Tom and Mary Beth Smedinghoff said.

CNN: Diplomat's killing believed to be first since Benghazi

It was clear that "there was no better place for her" than the Foreign Service, her parents, Tom and Mary Beth Smedinghoff, said in a written statement.

CNN: U.S. diplomat died 'doing what she loved' in Afghanistan

Associated Press writers Chris Carola and Mary Esch in Albany and Tom McElroy in New York contributed to this report.

WSJ: Rampage kills 4, shatters peace in 2 NY villages