I'm confused as to why any of the three would confess to rape unless they thought she might be found alive or unless they thought witnesses might come forward. Even if a body is found I would think there would be some difficulty in distinguishing consensual sex and rape, even if the body does show signs of trauma. I always thought the Dutch boy admitted to having sex with her and Beth interpreted that as being an admission of rape but I'm not sure. I just can't see any sense in admitting to rape and yet refusing to say anything else for weeks and weeks. But then again maybe it will all be clear if and when the case comes to trial and we know what evidence the police really have.
Doubt if anyone confessed to rape, unless it was in hope to avoid a charge of complicity in a murder. Joran supposedly confessed to sexual activity, but Beth interpreted it as an assault because even in Joran's story he protrayed Natalee as either drinking or doing drugs or both. The other thing is that in one statement Joran supposedly accused Deepak of raping Natalee when he, Joran, had left her alone on the beach. Also accused Deepak of murduring and burying her, too. Take it or leave it as you will, my point is that one accused the other of it, which isn't a confession, and that same one admitted there was sexual activity but was not portraying it as rape.