"I took my little family there for a vacation a number of years ago and it seemed like a 'small town' island that would be safe."
I'm sure it is. Things like this happen everywhere, this place just happens to be in the news right now.
From the article: "The officer told the FBI he went to a brothel in Curac'l on Canal. He said an American girl leaned in and said: "My name is Amy Bradley. I need your help."
Things like this do not happen everywhere!
No, things like this do happen everywhere. Small towns are not Paradise, nor are small islands. All you need is one Evil Person to wreak havoc. Which is the default mode of life here on earth. And that EP could just be passing through that area. And because the area 'looks' like Paradise, people let down their guard.