The grieving parents of a college student who was allegedly choked to death by her roommate last week have paid tribute to her. Grace Mann, 20, was described as a compassionate and principled young woman who wanted the world to be 'a safe place'. Mann's parents, local judge Thomas Mann and his wife Melissa, remembered their daughter in a brief interview a week after she was found dead in her rented home in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Scroll down for video . Grieving: Grace Mann's parents, Melissa and Thomas Mann, are pictured above at a memorial for their daughter, who was recently found choked to death . Murdered: A University of Mary Washington student has been charged with abduction and murder in the death of his roommate, 20-year-old Grace Rebecca Mann of Falls Church (pictured) Her father, a judge in a Fairfax County juvenile and domestic court, said: 'She just wanted the world to be a beautiful place, a safe place and a kind place'. According to local site Fredericksburg.com, Mann was found by her two female roommates with a plastic bag stuffed down her throat. Her third roommate, Steven Vander Briel, 30, was reportedly home when the grisly discovery was made, but fled the house. He was hunted down by police and has been charged with first degree murder. Charged: Steven Vander Briel, 30 (left), is accused of murdering Mann (right) then fleeing the home they shared . The Post reported that the two hardly knew each other, and that their relationship consisted only of Mann renting a room in the same house. The Manns, who drew attention to their daughter's record as an outspoken feminist and keen campaigner at the University of Mary Washington, opened up in the wake of an on-campus memorial service in her honor. Students gathered in front of university buildings on a sunny Friday to recall Mann's impact on her life. The event, covered by the WJLA local news channel, featured speeches from friends and university administrators, praising her short but significant life. One friend, Paige McKinsey, who was the president of a feminist society of which Mann was a member, said: 'She was a force of nature fueled by passion and determination. Grace Mann wasn’t going to change the world. She did change the world.' Comfort: Students banded together and embraced Friday at a memorial event for Mann .
Grace Mann, 20, was found dead in Fredericksburg, Virginia, last week .
Local reports say she had a plastic bag stuffed down her throat .
Roommate, a 30-year-old fellow student, has been charged with murder .
Parents paid tribute to her, and students rallied at memorial service .