CUMMING, Ga. -- Harry and Lois Puzey are mourning the loss of their daughter Kate, a Peace Corps volunteer from Cumming who was killed in West Africa while doing what she loved.

"It’s devastating, our hearts are shattered," said Lois Puzey.

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SLIDESHOW: Atlanta Peace Corps Volunteer Killed In Africa

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Kate Puzey's body was discovered early Thursday outside her home in the West African nation of Benin and officials suspect she may have been murdered.

Her family doesn’t believe politics played a role, and said they don’t want their daughter’s death to put a negative spotlight on West Africa.

"It was a murder that could have happened right here in Atlanta ... I don’t want her legacy to be that people think it is Africa … they’re barbaric. She wasn’t killed because she was American," said Lois Puzey.

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"Kate's life and work spoke volumes about the kind of dedication she had to her service." – Peace Corps Acting Director Jody Olsen l BELOW: Send Your Condolences

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The Puzeys said they visited their daughter in West Africa one summer and were impressed by her work and commitment there. “Kate's life and work spoke volumes about the kind of dedication she had to her service as a peace corps volunteer," said Peace Corps Acting Director Jody Olsen.

Described as a citizen of the world, Kate Puzey has lived in Germany, went to high school in Japan, and it was her love of teaching that took her to Africa.

Kate Puzey had been working for the Peace Corps in Benin since July 2007. She taught English to locals.

Neither the State Department nor the Peace Corps has commented on the cause of death, which will be determined by U.S. and local investigators.

The Puzeys plan to honor their daughter’s life with a special service next Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Sanctuary at Birmingham church in Alpharetta.

"She was like a beacon of light in our family," said Harry Puzey.