I can't see how Natalee can be knocked even if she went willingly with JVDS. Small islands present a sense of security (however false). I remember being young, single and accepting a ride from a local fellow on Grand Cayman Island and everything turned out just fine. We are still friends 35 years later.
I took a group of ladies on a day trip to St. Thomas. All the arrangements were made by an organization. When we arrived on our chartered puddle jumper, we were met in the airport terminal by a taxi driver. We asked if he was arranged to meet us and he said yes. Off we went for a tour of St. Thomas. For four hours the organization and island officials looked for us. We had no idea we were in any danger. Now I understand how much danger we could have been in.